Ipswich Town: Jon Walters returns to his former team, Stoke City

Former Ipswich Town attacker Jon Walters has been named interim technical director at Championship strugglers Stoke City.

Ricky Martin was let go by the Potters after 15 months in charge at the Bet365 Stadium.

They are 19th in the Championship, three points above the relegation zone, and have made 25 additions since the conclusion of last season.

Chairman John Coates stated: “With on-field results falling far short of our expectations this season, we believe it is critical to pursue a new route. We will begin a complete and robust recruitment process immediately.

Jonathan is ideally suited to the interim role and I’m thankful to him for stepping in to support Stoke City, a club I know is close to his heart, at this time.”

Walters joined Ipswich for £100,000 from Chester in January 2007, after impressing against the club in the FA Cup.

He went on to score 32 goals in 146 games under Jim Magilton and Roy Keane before joining Stoke for £2.75 million.

Walters returned to Ipswich for a second term in 2018, signing on loan from Burnley under Paul Hurst’s management. He made only three appearances, but suffered a career-ending Achilles injury in a home game against Bolton.

The 40-year-old has previously served as technical director at Fleetwood Town and their Irish sister club Waterford FC.