BEHIND every successful man there is a good woman, and according to Ipswich Town’s experienced defender Mark Kennedy behind every successful football manager there is an accomplished number two.

Kennedy feels that Roy Keane would have made a better job if he had someone with Championship experience and nous that he could have called upon.

And he sees Chris Hutchings as a perfect foil for current Ipswich boss Paul Jewell.

“The previous manager I feel would have been better served with someone beside him who had been around this division,” said Kennedy.

“He needed a number two similar to what Joe Royle had with Willie Donachie, Dave Jones has with Terry Burton and Paul Jewell has with Chris Hutchings.

“I’m a big fan of Ian McParland and Tony Loughlan who worked with Roy Keane and it’s no slight on them.

“But having seen how the other three partnerships have worked I believe Roy Keane could have had better help.”

Kennedy worked under former Town manager Royle at Manchester City and for Dave Jones and Wolverhampton and Cardiff City.

“Joe was brilliant and it’s a shame he’s not in football now,” added Kennedy.

“And Willie Donachie is a fantastic coach who is working at the Newcastle United academy now.

“They were like chalk and cheese, but worked together so well.

“The characteristics of Joe, Dave Jones and Paul Jewell are similar – they know when to hand it out and when to put an arm round someone.

“They are passionate, but a bit laid back and have benefitted from having good number twos to help in their success.”

Kennedy, who played for Millwall, Liverpool, QPR, Wimbledon, Manchester City, Wolverhampton, Crystal Palace and Cardiff in a career going back to 1992 before joining Town, has played for managers that he has not got on with.

But he praised Neil Warnock, who was happy to let the 35-year-old leave Selhurst Park on a free three years ago.

“Within a short while it was obvious it was not going to happen between us,” explained Kennedy.

“But we had a chat and he was brilliant – and we moved on.

“One manager who is now very successful I just did not get – not on the training ground or on the pitch.

“But he has achieved a great deal more than I have and I still have huge respect for him.”

And Kennedy feels Town will learn from their Easter mauling by first Norwich City and then Swansea City, continuing:

“It can all be easy when you are winning. Under Dave Jones at Wolves we just went out and played football with not too much going on in training during the week.

“It is when you are losing games that you are learning more.”

DO you agree with Kennedy that Keane could have been a success with a ‘strong’ number two? Let us know – e-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk