Mick McCarthy and Ipswich Town have parted company with immediate effect, with the 59-year-old leaving four fixtures before the end of the Sky Bet Championship season.

The 2017/18 campaign has looked set to be McCarthy’s last at Portman Road for some time now.

In late March it was confirmed that McCarthy would be leaving Ipswich in the summer, when his contract at Portman Road was set to expire. However, the Championship club have parted company with their long-serving manager with four fixtures of the season remaining.

The club moved to make an official announcement late last night, despite McCarthy guiding his side to three points against Barnsley at Portman Road.

Jonas Knudsen’s 54thminute goal for Ipswich last night was enough to see off Barnsley at Portman Road, with confirmation then coming that McCarthy would be exiting immediately.

After talking with Marcus Evans, Ipswich’s owner, both parties agreed that it was best for McCarthy to depart now, rather than at the end of the season, as was originally planned.

In a statement, McCarthy highlighted that he wasn’t enjoying the role since the announcement came that he wouldn’t be around next season. He told Ipswich’s official website: “I spoke with Marcus at the weekend and we agreed that it was in the best interests for me, the players and the club that I move on now.

“I said I would see the season out but it’s been a new experience and it’s not one I have been enjoying to be honest.

“I have continued to do my job to the best of my ability but there is something missing and I’m not comfortable with that.”

Terry Connor, McCarthy’s long-term No. 2, has also departed Portman Road with immediate effect following last night’s victory.

Ipswich face Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Reading and Middlesbrough in the remaining four fixtures of the season. McCarthy departs with the club in 12th.

The Verdict

The timing of McCarthy’s exit, particularly after a victory, is a strange one, but the 59-year-old probably believes he deserves to go out having won three points.

We knew McCarthy was going in the summer, but now he has departed, Ipswich can begin to look elsewhere for his successor ahead of a busy summer.

The direction Ipswich take now will be interesting to watch.

Ipswich Town fans… Let us know your thoughts!