Burley ousted at Ipswich

Sixth from bottom
The club were relegated from the English Premiership last season and lie sixth from bottom in the first division after a 3-0 defeat on Tuesday at Grimbsy Town FC. Burley, who spent 12 years as a player at Ipswich, took over at Portman Road in December 1994.

'Difficult decision'
"It is with great sadness that the board of directors have taken the difficult decision to relieve George Burley from his position as manager," Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks told the club's official website. "I would like to place on record our immense thanks to George for his outstanding service and many tremendous achievements throughout his tenure."

'Man of honour'
The 46-year-old guided Ipswich to fifth place in the Premiership in 2000/01, and also led them in last season's UEFA Cup, when they lost to Internazionale FC in the third round. "He is a man of honour and integrity and his many skills will no doubt lead to further opportunities and successes in his managerial career. We wish him the very best and every success in the future," Sheepshanks added.

Fair play winners
Ipswich were drawn to enter the 2002/03 UEFA Cup by winning a place through UEFA's Fair Play rankings and are through to the second round of the competition, where they will meet Czech champions FK Slovan Liberec.

Defeat by Inter
The Suffolk club finished fourth in England's fair play league behind Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC, but all three of those clubs had already qualified for the UEFA Champions League.