Keane's troubled reign at Ipswich ends in sack

Keane leaves Ipswich 19th in the Championship (Getty Images)

Roy Keane's difficult 20 months at Ipswich Town were ended last night when the club's owner, Marcus Evans, finally sacked the former Manchester United captain.

Chris Hughton, the former Newcastle United manager, has been tipped as the favourite to succeed Keane and his first game would be Sunday's FA Cup third round game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

On Wednesday, Ipswich play Arsenal at Portman Road in the first leg of the Carling Cup semi-final – a cup run that seemed to have rescued Keane's season. Ipswich are 19th in the Championship and have lost seven of their last nine games.