PAUL Jewell believes Marcus Evans should have a replacement in place first if he ever considers sacking the current Town boss.

Jewell yesterday gave a fascinating insight into the world of football management claiming Ipswich were probably already been contacted by out-of-work managers saying the Town manager is “no good” and should be fired.

And he believes Evans should have a contingency plan in the event of ever sacking Jewell – including replacing him within 48 hours,

Jewell explained: “If I got the boot tomorrow (today) and a manager came in Monday or Tuesday, I think that’s the right thing to do – you almost have to have a contingency plan.

“I am sure the chief executive has had a lot of calls from agents saying my manager is available and your manager is no good.

“It is a small world, football, but to be honest everyone is looking out for themselves. But a lot of people have been supportive of me and I am grateful.”

It has long been felt that Evans had strongly sounded out both Roy Keane and Jewell before making the move to sack managers – first Jim Magilton and then Keane – and replacing them quickly.

While not commenting on past decisions, Jewell said he had no problems with the club now being tapped up by potential replacements as he fights to save his job. But he insisted he had never done that during his football management career.

Even though discontent is growing among Town fans, Jewell seems to have the backing of the board.

And after Evans visited the training ground yesterday and even lunched with the players and manager, Jewell repeated his praise of the faceless owner.

The manager said: “I asked Marcus to come up about three weeks ago. He is a very busy man who spends most of his time out of the country. He managed to fit us in today which is great.

“He likes to come down to the training ground and go through transfers and the future.

“He is a very low-key owner as far as publicity is concerned. But as far as support and long-term vision, he is top class. He knows times are really difficult at the moment but hopefully I can repay him in the long term.”

Jewell yesterday insisted he had been given no ultimatum by the owner in terms of an amount of games to turn things around.

But with Blackpool at Portman Road today and games against Leeds and West Ham to come, he admitted: “I’m not stupid. Things have to get better and I understand that. But he is the one who keeps telling me it is a long-term plan and nothing is going to happen overnight.

“When I have been speaking to him after the games, he has picked me up because I have been a bit down.

“He has told me to stay positive and believe in myself. I’m having a tough time at the moment – I know that.

“I have been down this route before at Bradford and Wigan, but I managed to turn those around. I know the results haven’t been acceptable, but all I can do is try and put it right.”