JIM Magilton’s experiences at Portman Road and with Queens Park Rangers have not dampened his enthusiasm to get back into management.

The former Ipswich Town midfielder spent three years in the Town hot seat after taking over from Joe Royle in June 2006.

He started well and missed out on the Championship play-offs in 2007/08 by one point.

But the following season his popularity waned and the pressure built and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Roy Keane in late April with his team in mid table.

He moved to Loftus Road after many good judges considered that he had now served his managerial apprenticeship and did well for the Londoners before a dressing room bust-up after a defeat at Watford led to Rangers siding with the player and letting Magilton go.

Now that a long-running legal case with Ipswich has been resolved, Magilton, who has been back living in his native Belfast, says that he is refreshed and ready to manage again.

The 41-year-old said: “I’m glad the issue with Ipswich has now been finally resolved and I feel the time is right to get my management career back on track.

“Like any manager out of work I want to get back into it as soon as possible as I miss the day-to-day involvement with players and staff.

“I have had a break now for 14 months and I am refreshed and ready to go again.

“Despite some of the things that happened at Ipswich and QPR I have not lost my appetite for management.

“I really enjoyed my time at Ipswich and QPR and if the right opportunity came along it would be something that I would be keen on exploring.”

Magilton insists he would be happy to manage at any level as long as the club matches his own ambitions.

“I am an ambitious person and want to manage at the highest level, but I would have no problem managing a team at a lower level,” added Magilton.

“It is not nice to see fellow managers lose their jobs, but I am ready to see what options come my way over the next few months as I want to make up for lost time.”

IN hindsight how do you assess Jim Magilton’s time as Ipswich manager? Let us know – e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk.