TONY Mowbray is ready to commit himself to Ipswich Town for next season but admits he is still keen to strike out on his own in management, writes Derek Davis.

TONY Mowbray is ready to commit himself to Ipswich Town for next season but admits he is still keen to strike out on his own in management, writes Derek Davis.

The EADT yesterday revealed Blues boss Joe Royle was keen to keep the popular coach as part of his coaching staff alongside Willie Donachie and Mowbray last night confirmed he would be speaking to the manager next week to accept the offer.

Mowbray said: "I envisage I will be working here next season. As Joe said, I'm keen to be a manager in my own right and he has said he will not stand in my way should an opportunity come along.

"Given the present climate of financial restrictions there may not be too many opportunities elsewhere at the moment but I enjoyed my period as caretaker-manager with Ipswich and would relish a chance to be in charge of a team.

"For me, it is not necessarily about money. It is about commitment and effort, which I will continue to give to Ipswich Town, its players, staff and supporters.

"It has been very enjoyable working with Willie and Joe, seeing new ideas and a different management style."

Mowbray is already a highly qualified coach and this summer will take his ProLicence badge, the highest coaching qualification in Europe.