“I was shocked when I heard the news when I came off the training pitch at Colney."

Stuart Watson

Bryan Gunn,

Norwich City manager

“I was shocked when I heard the news when I came off the training pitch at Colney.

“Obviously I had spent an hour or two after the game on Sunday with Jim, in his company, and all the press calls we have to do after the game.

“So our paths crossed during the match and after the match and we shared a drink. Obviously he was a happy man after the derby victory, but as well as that he was magnanimous in saying that our team played well enough to get something from the match and he wished us all the best for the rest of the season.

“Jim is a good friend of mine in footballing terms. I have already left a message on his answering machine and I look forward to seeing him during the summer for a game of golf.

“I am devastated that he has lost his job - it just shows you what a cut and thrust industry we're working in.

He's going to probably finish in the top half of the table, but that is obviously not good enough.

“It just shows you the demands on Championship managers and Premier League managers.”

Marcus Stewart

Ipswich striker 2000-2002

“I know that Jim would have put 110% into the job but it just didn't quite work out for him. Ipswich are at least a play-off side, he knows that and having not got to the play-offs in the last two years I am sure he knows he could have done a little bit better.

“I'm sure Jim's own pride will be hurt at the moment because I know what he is like as a person having played alongside him. This will have hurt him dearly.

“The club now needs to make sure they get the right person for the job.

“To me it doesn't matter if they are young or old, the club has just got to get their heads together and make sure they get it right.”

Fabian Wilnis

Ipswich defender 1999-2008

“I'm surprised, I'm very surprised actually that he's gone now, especially after last Sunday's game against Norwich where they played their best football of the season.

“Jim had been manager at the club for three years though and with Marcus Evans' money this season it was disappointing that Ipswich didn't make the play-offs.

“Jim is a very hard working person and he really wanted the club to move forward but he hasn't managed to do that.

“He is a proud man and knowing him he will be very disappointed with how things have worked out.