O'Neil will be backed at Ipswich

[BBC] Gary O'Neil returns to the Premier League after 18 months away. The Tractor Boys accelerated their process at the start of last week, also considering Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but O'Neil has been in their thoughts for a long time. He had been seen as the ideal replacement for Kieran McKenna and there was internal expectation he would be the one to come in. Ipswich were braced for McKenna's departure, whether it was to another club or not, and had prepared accordingly. Talks with O'Neil advanced quickly on Thursday although, like any manager, he sought assurances and clarity over recruitment and Ipswich's spending power. Those questions were answered, although Strasbourg and owners BlueCo wanted him to stay in France. He had positive conversations with Behdad Eghbali, Chelsea's co-owner and the majority shareholder of BlueCo, the consortium which owns both the Blues and Strasbourg. Eghbali was keen to keep O'Neil but, with budgets tight and an acceptance it would be difficult to replace Chelsea-bound Emmanuel Emegha and Valentin Barco, the decision was perhaps made a little easier. Town are expected to spend to strengthen the squad for their Premier League return and the target is survival, ensuring they compete with the bottom six. Ipswich feel they are better equipped for the top flight this season than two years ago, after McKenna led them to successive promotions from League One. O'Neil will be backed and, having seen his time at Bournemouth and Wolves cut short, he has the perfect opportunity to re-establish himself in the Premier League.