Ipswich Town skipper Luke Chambers is management material and I could end up his assistant, jokes Mick McCarthy

Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers embraces manager Mick McCarthy following a win at Sheffield Wednesday last season. Photo: Pagepix (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 93573 8)

Chambers, who turns 32 next week, has already taken several coaching courses and made it clear that he wants to become a boss once he hangs up his boots.

McCarthy, who started his own managerial career aged 33 when appointed player-manager at second-tier side Millwall, laughed: “I’ve offered him my services as an assistant if he’d like to be a manager somewhere down the line. Maybe in another 10 years if he fancies an old fart just giving him a little bit of advice he might consider me.

“I’ve said that to him because I do see him as a manager and I thought that might just be my chance just to keep earning a few quid later on!

“Quite clearly he loves the game, which you’d like to think all footballers do, although I’m not sure that’s the case.

“He likes that leadership role and I think he likes the fact that the lads call him ‘skip’ and look up to him and respect him for what he does, for what he’s done and what he’s achieved. But the enthusiasm that he brings as well is great.”

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Ex-Northampton and Nottingham Forest player Chambers was signed by Paul Jewell in 2012. He has racked up 246 appearances for Town and was the only outfielder to play every minute of every Championship game last season.

He recently missed three league matches after injuring ankle ligaments in the 4-3 win at Millwall, but made a swift return to start last weekend’s 2-0 home win over Bolton.

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“He didn’t walk back into the team, he hobbled back in,” joked McCarthy. “I don’t know how he stayed on the pitch at Millwall and it was remarkable he was back so soon. He really did galvanise that defence last weekend, he was terrific. He makes a huge difference, not only with his ability on the pitch but also with his personality as a captain.

“Those are the things that are not really noticed or too many people think about until they’re not there, or until they come back and then it stands out as much as it did with Chambo.

“I’ve said before, he’s as good a captain as I’ve ever had.”