Rolls appointed Director of Performance at Ipswich Town

ANDREW ROLLS, who left Bristol City last week after three years at the club, has been appointed Director of Performance at League One Ipswich Town.

The move will see Rolls reunited with Chief Executive Mark Ashton, with whom he worked at Watford and Bristol City. Ashton was announced as the new CEO of Ipswich in April, although he will not take up his new role until the end of this season.

Rolls, who was first-team physio at Watford, Arsenal and West Ham before joining the Robins in June 2018, will oversee medical, strength and conditioning and sports science at Portman Road.

He said: “Ipswich is a massive club, what I call a proper football club, and with the new owners coming in, it looks a really exciting challenge to be part of.

“That was the big draw for me, to be in at the start of the journey to try and get this club back to where it deserves to be. I obviously know Mark well. I know his drive and work ethic and I know how determined he is to make this club successful and I’m looking forward to being part of that.”

Manager Paul Cook added: “Andy will bring with him new ideas and plenty of experience, having worked in football at the top level for 20 years.”

Cook is looking to build a new backroom team ahead of next season, with first-team coach Matt Gill and goalkeeper coach Jimmy Walker having recently departed. Replacements are expected to be announced shortly.

Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson had voiced his frustration about the number of injuries at the club in recent weeks.

“We have far too many players unavailable because they are injured," he said after the 3-2 defeat by Luton on April 25th. "We rely on young players where it is a big ask for them to perform at this level while under pressure,”

Last weekend Robins owner Steve Lansdown revealed Rolls had "another opportunity" and added: "I think it's something probably good for both parties... a fresh start and a look at that [the injury situation] is probably a good thing.”