Paul Cook has dropped some eye-opening claims about recruitment at Ipswich Town, speaking on the Legends of the Spire podcast.

Cook was sacked by the Tractor Boys in December after a difficult start to the season with Kieran McKenna brought in from Manchester United to replace him.

The 54-year-old arrived at Portman Road in March 2021 and backed by the US owners, new CEO Mark Ashton signed 19 players in the summer – the manager's first transfer window in charge.

Despite the arrival of some quality players, Ipswich struggled to find consistency in the first few months of the 2021/22 campaign and the manager was given his marching orders with the club 11th in the League One table.

Speaking on the Legends Of The Spire podcast, Cook made an eye-opening revelation about the recruitment at the Suffolk club.

While discussing his transfer strategy at Chesterfield, he said: "I've just left a football club in Ipswich who didn't have a recruitment room in the summer, as I've left still has no recruitment room.

"How are you supposed to recruit players? How?"

Ipswich's recruitment will be in focus again this month as Ashton looks to give McKenna the tools he needs to launch a significant promotion push in the second half of the season.

The Verdict

These are eye-opening claims Cook is making and certainly ones that will concern fans of the Portman Road outfit.

He seems to be suggesting that the club don't have the sort of recruitment systems in place that you would expect at this level.

Ashton came into criticism for his transfer strategy before he left Bristol City, particularly late in his tenure, and this update highlights a concerning pattern.

You have to take it with a pinch of salt given Cook has recently been sacked by the Tractor Boys but even so, there's cause for significant concern.