Former Ipswich boss Joe Royle today admitted that he is ready to return to management. The news could alert his former club Norwich as they seek a successor to Nigel Worthington, who was sacked on Sunday, although Royle said he had not spoken to the Canaries.

Former Ipswich boss Joe Royle today admitted that he is ready to return to management. The news could alert his former club Norwich as they seek a successor to Nigel Worthington, who was sacked on Sunday, although Royle said he had not spoken to the Canaries.

Championship rivals Leeds and West Bromwich Albion are also in the hunt for a new manager after Kevin Blackwell and Bryan Robson were both dismissed recently.

Royle, who was at Carrow Road in the early 1980s, has been without a job for almost five months since he parted company with Town in May after twice taking them into the play-offs during his three and a half years in charge.

He said: “I have had a good break and I feel thoroughly refreshed. If the right club were interested in me I am at the stage where I would like to have another crack at it.

“But I am not desperate for a job.

“It would have to be the right job at the right club, a bit like when I joined Ipswich four years ago.”

Royle had 189 games in charge of Town - 81 wins, 48 draws and just 60 defeats - after he was tempted out of retirement to succeed George Burley.

He added: “I've had two previous breaks before this one and they lasted 12 months and then 18 months. I enjoyed them both.

“I know how to relax and enjoy it, but as soon as Ipswich showed an interest in me and I met up with them I had a lot of feeling for the club and I knew I wanted it.

“But this is definitely not a situation where I am hawking myself around. I would only return to management if I felt it was the right opportunity for me.”

Royle has been linked with the vacancy at Millwall, where Nigel Spackman was recently dismissed and first team coach Willie Donachie, who has assisted him throughout his career in management, is in temporary charge.

But Royle said: “I won't be going there. In the first place there has been no contact from Millwall and in any case I wouldn't want to trespass on Willie's territory.

“He has felt for some time that he would like to have a crack at management. He has had a decent start, with a draw and a win, and I wish him well. I hope he gets it.”

Apart from spending more time with wife Janet, the ex-Ipswich boss has been working for radio and television this season.

He added: “I have enough media work on and Janet's got enough dates in the diary when we could have a break away, but I also feel the time is right to get back into management.

“I've been back to Oldham and Everton - I was there on Saturday for the game against Manchester City - and I've caught up with a lot of old friends.

“But I definitely feel I have at least one more round left in me. I know there's a trend at the moment to appoint younger managers but I still feel I have plenty to offer.

“I'm 57 but in my head I'm still 18, although my body occasionally betrays me.

“I was too young to think about retirement when I was at Oldham. Then, although I was very down when I initially left Everton and Manchester City, I knew when I was ready to return.

“I'm fine now. The break has been good for me. I'm delighted to see Ipswich doing well and I'm ready to have another go.”