Mark Warburton’s style of play, dedication and man management skills would make him a ‘good fit’ for Ipswich Town, according to former Blues striker Nicky Forster.
Forster, who scored eight goals in 25 games for the Blues during a spell spanning 2005 and 2006, appointed Warburton as his assistant during his time as Brentford boss at the end of the 2010-11 season, with the duo winning nine of their 21 matches in charge.
Warburton went on to manage the Bees, winning promotion to the Championship and taking the club to the second-tier play-offs, before guiding Rangers back to the Scottish top flight and winning the Challenge Cup in his first season.
MORE: An old head, up-and-coming, Blue blood or foreign boss - who do YOU think Ipswich should appoint?
The former financial trader lasted just nine months as Nottingham Forest manager before being fired in December, despite saving them from relegation last season, but Forster believes his former assistant would tick a lot of boxes for the Blues.
“I think he’s probably a good fit for Ipswich,” Forster said. “It’s a club who likes to play football and traditionally they are a team well known for a good brand of football and I think he would certainly fit into that very, very well.”
“He came in (at Brentford) and he was pivotal in us doing well when we were there together because his dedication and the way he works is absolutely a lesson for everyone I would say.
MORE: Bookies’ favourite Cowley responds to criticism over playing style
“I used to turn up at the training ground at 8am and he had already been there an hour-and-half to set up the sessions and do a lot of planning since the day before. So when the players came in everything was laid out and everything was ready to go. It was super slick and super professional.
“I think the only criticism I can see anybody has had of him is that he has a style of playing and if that doesn’t quite work there is no plan B, it’s just to do plan A better. That’s been the only thing I’ve seen in the press as being a criticism.
Forster also believes Warburton, who spent time coaching in Watford’s youth system under Aidy Boothroyd, would be popular with the club’s players.
MORE: Stuart Watson’s Monday Verdict: Gerrard isn’t Keane – but do we need another circus in Town?
“For me he was someone I learned off a lot, the players liked him and he speaks to people with respect and gives them the time of day even if they don’t like what he’s saying. He’s a very decent guy,” said Forster, who now runs his own personal training business.
“He has a very straight way of living and his views and morals are very straight so I think if people have problems with him on and off the pitch then he his fair with them. Even if he has things that are hard to say then he says them in a diplomatic way.
“That’s nice because you don’t want to shut doors in football or in any walk of life and employment because you never know when you might need someone.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here