ARJAN de Zeeuw has backed former boss Paul Jewell to lead Ipswich up the Championship table next season.

Jewell’s former captain believes the Blues have the right man in charge, stating: “Paul would have needed time to get a feel about the players he wants to have around him. He has now had that bit of time at Ipswich and hopefully this season he will show what he is good at.”

The centre back, who was twice named Wigan’s Player of the Year under Jewell and was later captain at Portsmouth, said his admiration for his former manager means he will now be rooting for the Suffolk side.

“I liked Paul a lot,” de Zeeuw said. “He demanded a lot but if you gave him your best, he would always respect you. He had a great commitment towards us and the team.

“He has got a certain humour about him and he loves the training ground and the atmosphere of being around the team. I hope Ipswich do well next season because of Paul and the fact they have always been a good footballing side.”

After hanging up his boots, de Zeeuw decided to move back to the Netherlands to train to be a criminal investigator.

But he admitted he would like to meet up with Jewell again when Ipswich visit the country for two friendly matches in four days against FC Eindhoven and Den Bosch this week.

De Zeeuw said: “I think both matches will provide a test for Ipswich. They might be in the second tier of Dutch football but Den Bosch particularly have been a good side in recent years.

“Dutch teams like to play football and keep the ball and pass it, possibly more than in England, and it will be a good workout.”

Ipswich play FC Eindhoven next Tuesday afternoon and then Den Bosch on Thursday night.