Mick McCarthy dramatically announced his departure as Ipswich manager following their 1-0 victory over Barnsley.
A headed goal from Danish World Cup hopeful Jonas Knudsen in the 54th minute following a corner won the game for the home side.
But it was McCarthy who grabbed the headlines after he was quizzed about the fans’ negative reaction to the 56th-minute substitution of debutant Barry Cotter - the 19 year-old former Limerick FC defender
The former Republic of Ireland boss, who was already due to leave the club at the end of the season, retorted: “I won’t have to listen to that again, that’s my last game — I’m out of here.”
His curt remark cut short his managerial career at Ipswich with four games to go in the Championship, with his relationship with some of the home fans reaching a low point.
A spokesman for the club said he made the decision to leave the club along with his assistant Terry Connor on Sunday, following the 1-0 away defeat against Brentford, and plans are being made to put in a replacement until the end of the season.
The Blues boss, who announced at the end of March he would be leaving his role in the summer, gave a three-minute press conference at the end of the game before revealing he was leaving.
Reacting to boos when young defender Cotter was substituted in the second half, McCarthy said: “It was a disgraceful reaction, that, but I won’t have to listen to it again because that’s my last game. I’m out of here.”
With that he banged the desk and departed, with the club then confirming the news on their website and Twitter feed.
“I spoke with Marcus (Evans, owner) at the weekend and we agreed that it was in the best interests for me, the players and the club that I move on now,” McCarthy said in the website story.
“I said I would see the season out but it’s been a new experience and it’s not one I have been enjoying to be honest.
“I have continued to do my job to the best of my ability but there is something missing and I’m not comfortable with that.
“I have had a great time here and worked with some great people and to all those who have given me wonderful support over the last five and a half years — and there are many — I want to put on record my personal thanks.
“The players here can look forward to a new challenge with whoever comes in and I want to wish them, the staff and the club the best of fortunes.”
McCarthy was linked with his hometown club Barnsley before the appointment of Jose Morais, who saw his side’s hopes of Championship survival take a hit with Tuesday’s result.
Morais said: “It’s a defeat and there’s nothing more than to move on.
“All the games are big games and must-win games and we expected this game to be a must-win game. It was a difficult game, I don’t expect it to be easy, but I expect us to have the ability to win.
“We created chances and we had the chances to lead the game and the confidence still exists in the team.”
