Who would be your choice for the hot seat?

Burley's eight-year reign at Portman Road came to an end after a dreadful start to the season which left Ipswich languishing in 19th place in Division One.

Although the club are once again in the Uefa Cup, Burley has failed to get the side playing to their potential after last season's relegation from the Premiership.

Burley took the club to its greatest heights since the days of Bobby Robson, guiding the club to a top six Premiership finish.

Who's the man to revive Ipswich's fortunes?

No, no, please not that whinger Bryan Robson, nor Bryan Hamilton, not even Peter Reid. Come back George, all is forgiven (not much to forgive anyhow). Best solution, sack the Board that sacked Burley and beg him to come back.
Terry Goodchild, England

Of course it's shocking and saddening when someone as committed and dedicated as George is shown the door. But maybe it is an opportunity too.

Ipswich is never going to be a really wealthy club, and is going to have to remain focused on home-grown talent, even if this results in inconsistency now and then. I just hope whoever takes over is able to inspire and promote young players as George did.
Colin, Singapore

Bryan Robson could do the business at Portman Road for me. I think Rioch would be a step backwards, like the newly-appointed Sunderland manager Howard Wilkinson.
Ryan Curran, Ireland

Best of luck to Ipswich in their search for a new manager. I think Peter Reid would be good, but whatever happens, DON'T appoint Vialli. He ruined Watford and now wants millions of pounds. You would be better off with an untrained gorilla as it probably knows more about the game!
John Harding, England

As an Ipswich fan I'm very sad to see Burley go. To me he was an excellent manger for Ipswich and I hope he will be manger of another club soon - and what ever club that does get him will be very lucky to have a excellent manger.

But as for our new manger, I would like to see either David O'Leary, Ronnie Moore or Tony Mowbray will be a very good replacement.
Ben, England

What a terrible mistake Sheepshanks has made, less then a quarter of a season gone and he hits the panic button. Loyalty is a two-way street, not something to throw away at the first sign of trouble.

To all long-term Ipswich supporters, remember how long it took Sir Bobby Robson to get a trophy winning side? Do you think the Cobbolds would have removed him from his job so early? I doubt it!

Who to take over from George? I suggest that Terry Butcher comes back from Scotland and, furthermore, that George is given a suitable job with Ipswich, perhaps as director of football.
Joseph Sanderson, Netherlands

As a life-long fan who goes regularly both home and away, I can't speak highly enough about George. I think he was the man to change things. No fan was singing Burley out. All it was was our misfortune in front of goal.

Things would have changed given a few weeks I am sure, and not forgetting we are still in Uefa Cup. You don't become a bad manager overnight. All I can say is that I hope Mick Mills DOES NOT take charge. Best of luck, George.
Jonathan Wiseman, England

I'm sorry to see George go. If we need someone to pick the team up and get them going again - how about Sammy McIlroy, he's made a huge difference to the Northern Ireland international team.
Bob, UK

As expected, it wasn't long before a Liverpool idiot harped on about Houllier winning three cups, whereas Burley won his award for the league! Or to hear from Naarwich and Colchester jerks.

Burley gave the Blue Army some great memories and probably should have stayed if only Sheepshanks had insisted that a new coach assist at the start of the season.

As it is, he ran out of ideas and his bad buys came back to haunt him. Thanks George, but Town must move on. It's a three-horse race: Moore/Reid/Rioch.
John, Colchester

Just like Victor M, I just do not believe it! The sacking of one of Ipswich Town's best ever managers has to be the most unbelievable act of stupidity ever. I do not support the team, but George was one of the best managers around.

Ipswich have now got a long hard season to get through, and the best chance they had of going straight back up has been shown the door.
Keith, UK

Yawn. Who cares? It's about time the media stopped holding Ipswich in such high regard and giving them so much coverage. They're still being held up as an example of a well-run club. Remind me of their financial situation??

Burley had five years of mediocrity before winning a play-off. They had one good season, followed by 17 months of dross.

He'd lost the backing of the players - and the arrogance of the entire club after relegation (100 goals, 100 points this season etc) leaves me with absolutely no time for them.
Scott, UK

So Bruce Rioch wants the Ipswich job? I can remember him quitting Norwich saying that they didn't have the money to finance his ambitions. What is so different at Ipswich?
Peter Hayes, England

To all Ipswich fans - at least you're safe from having Messrs Wilkinson or Venables at your club!
David Smith, Luxembourg

I have been an Ipswich fan for 50 years and I like George Burley, he has been very good for the Town.

There is always a but, and George undone himself last season, when he bought in players and put them in the first team leaving out the players who had helped the Town to fifth in the Premiership.

He needed extra backup for Europe but he started chopping and changing the team; they have their part to play in this - but over the last 12 months, the Town have not been taking their chances. If they had done, they would still be up there with the big boys showing them how to play good open attacking football.

I believe that he was losing the confidence of the players, and when that happens it is time to call it a day. I wish George well, and although he is still under contract to the club he is man enough to see that he did make mistakes.

Just one other point, and this is for the players - remember when you got promoted and that wonderful first season back, you never stopped running for each other. You have to get back to that, and get the lovely flowing football back that you are capable of. Up the Blues.
Ivan, UK

Burley should never have been sacked, he has been with the club through thick and thin, and if you are a true supporter you will agree.
LC, England

Burley should never have been sacked in the first place. He was a great manager and, as proved by Middlesbrough and West Ham last season, and even Manchester United, if you stick by your manager then good times will come again.
DL, England, Essex

Thanks to George - wonderful effort. Now for Terry Butcher!
David, UK

If the news is true about Ronnie Moore being about to become Ipswich's new manager then as a Rotherham United supporter it will be the worst loss any Rotherham fan will have ever had, and a tremendous gain for Ipswich. I prepare to mourn the loss of the greatest men ever to accommodate the manager's office at Millmoor.
Nic Guest, Rotherham

Ipswich should hire Peter Reid as he is the best manager around without a job.
Matt, England

It's all being set up for Ferguson to take over. He'll be forced to resign from United over these allocations of indecent assault and once he quits the claim will prove to be false. By then he won't be able to return to United and instead of retiring he'll take over at Portman Road and lead the tractor boys to domestic and European success!
Anon, UK

For a while, under Burley, Ipswich looked like one of the great sides of Europe. It was Eric Gates all over again. What happened? It's difficult to say who should replace him. Alex Smith has just got the sack from Dundee United. He's not very good but I'm sure he'd be cheap.
Tobias Gast, USA

Even as a Spurs fan, I feel compelled to give my view on Burley's dismissal. Like one supporter quoted "This has convinced me that football really has lost its humanity" Quite true!!

Men such as Peter Reid and George Burley are intelligent and modest, and quite humble too, and they are made to pay the price of "so-called elite status". Watch and grieve what other clubs will be rewarded, when they are appointed there.
Nigel Naidoo, USA

I'm looking forward to Ipswich hiring Tony Mowbray and sinking into the nether regions of Division Two. Good riddance to a team that has major delusions of grandeur. Ipswich think that they should get a major name to take over, David O'Leary, et al. Get real! I can't understand why there's more fuss over Burley than Reid!
John Swailes, Stoke, UK

It's an outrage that clubs seem to think that changing a manager is going to change the world. I think they'll go down again, they deserve it.
Jon, England

As a Liverpool supporter, I'm delighted! He should never have got manager of the year in 2001 just for leading Ipswich to fifth. Outside of the big three, anyone can have a good season in the 'best of the rest' league. It was a disgrace that Houllier didn't get it after winning the cup treble. Burley's had his moment of fame that he didn't deserve and now his true worth has been recognised by getting the sack.
Greg, Liverpool, UK

I cannot believe Ipswich have parted with George Burley. They obviously have chosen to forget the giant steps they have taken under his guidance and the host of great players he has brought through for them. It's sad day for football in general.
Ian McArthur, San Diego, USA

This is Sheepshanks' biggest mistake. George is Ipswich through and through. I am in mourning. I almost feel like I've lost a relative today. Best of luck George - I think you have been badly treated by our club.
Dave H, England

I can't see how you can sack a manager, who you've stuck with for so many years, after such a relatively brief period of poor play. That said, we can take heart in the fact that at least Howard Wilkinson is now unavailable!
Simon Whymark, Derby

We are gutted. George has been the best manager since Robson. The players have to take some of the blame. They should have shown more loyalty to George and perform as we know they are capable of. We hope we are not going to regret this big time. We wish George all the best in the future.
Pam and Doreen, Ipswich, UK

It's sad to see Burley go, but his time was up. Although the players are largely responsible for Ipswich's demise, the coach is solely accountable for the team's performance. After much success during his tenure, the team's current form doesn't suggest a manager who is still able to motivate his players.

With that in mind, perhaps the club needs someone like Peter Reid to jump-start the season. Consequently, I think the players should at least take some of the responsibility for the sacking of one of Ipswich's best ever managers.
Peter Watson, USA

As a lifelong Colchester fan I am ecstatic about this. He's finally got what he deserves for the way he left Colchester all those years ago. We'll be seeing Ipswich in Division Two next season!
Darryl, Colchester, UK

I'm disappointed but I feel Burley has paid the price for poor judgement in the transfer market at the start of last season. The club tried to grow too quickly after just one hugely successful season in the Premiership. I think the main question the board need to ask is who could do a better job than Burley? The answer is no-one likely to want to manage a club the size of Ipswich Town! A sad day.
Adrian Webb, UK

Watch out Berti Vogts - with George a free agent, one more poor game and Scotland have a new manager readily available.
Darren, England

It would appear that Burley has become a victim of his own success. For years he built Ipswich into a force that could challenge for a position in the Premiership and eventually it happened. Having spent a short space of time with the elite, relegation hit Ipswich and Burley hard. Consider this, he spent all that time getting them there and then one failure (relegation) and he's sacked. Football is a changing game!
Martin Walker, USA

If Ipswich can wait a week, Glenn Roeder will be available!
Paul, UK

A pathetic decision. What did Sheepshanks expect when he forced the sale of the best players at the club? It takes time for a team to gel and getting rid of half of the first team was bound to have an effect. The only solace is that Peter Reid is available and the right man for the job.
Mike, Ipswich

I just wish he'd gone a few days earlier and Sunderland could have got themselves a modern manager who knows how to have his sides playing football on the ground. Bad move Ipswich! If you'd kept faith with George you would have had a manager equipped to take you into the higher levels of the game again once the bad patch was over.
Simon Evans, England

When you sack a manager you really have to consider who you could replace them with. On this occasion I'm not sure there's anyone that could do the job any better than George. Let's just hope we don't get an over-hyped and over-paid manager as we have with some members of the playing staff.
Jim Utting, UK

The biggest mistake in football since Doug Ellis appointed Graham Taylor as manager at Villa. Looking forward to going to the bookies to put a �10 bet on that Peter Reid is the new Ipswich manager!
Jason, Manchester, England

As a Norwich City fan I should be pleased at the sacking of George Burley! But as a football fan I think it is disgraceful that Ipswich have sacked a most loyal servant who has had considerable success considering the resources available to him. I wish George the very best for the future wherever that may be and, as just reward, I hope Ipswich are relegated into obscurity.
Steve Lightfoot, England

I'm stunned - as a long-standing Ipswich fan I think he should have been given more time. He won two of his last three games in charge! Even though Town lost 3-0 on Tuesday they played good football but missed chances and gifted goals.

I remember John Duncan's time when the performances were awful. I hope Sheepshanks already has someone lined up otherwise it is an even more short-sighted decision.
Kevin Quinton, UK

Gloating aside, it seems a daft decision. Norwich are living proof that sacking managers rashly will cost you. OK, Ipswich aren't doing well but surely the blame should lie with the overpaid 'superstar' players - another Sheffield Wednesday maybe?
Tom, Norwich, UK

Very sad to see him go but it was time to make a change. Just a shame we missed Peter Taylor. He would have been perfect.
Malcolm, England

He had to go. I just pray that we don't have Tony Mowbray taking over in charge because that will be just as bad. Hopefully the new manager will put us back up where we belong - above Norwich.
Simon, Ipswich

Burley was an excellent manager for Ipswich, perhaps the best the club has seen since Bobby Robson. He was incredibly dedicated to the club and had a technical ability that suited the footballing ethics of the club. You don't finish a season in fifth place in the Premiership by luck alone.

That said, it was thought that he was too soft on the players, especially when their form began to slide. We have too many good players playing inconsistently on an individual level and thus affecting the team performance. Eight years is not a bad run in this day and age. George Burley, I salute you.
Joe Caston, Italy

I'm gutted. It was inevitable but I cannot think of anyone who will make a better job or loves the club more. Too early to make this decision.
Carol, England

Mr Sheepshanks and the board have done the right thing. We need to be fighting for promotion not fighting relegation again. Burley did a good job but it's time to move on.
Gareth Baxter, UK

Ipswich's players must look on in bemusement. Firstly they are cajoled to take a pay cut and then they find the cash to pay off a respected manager with a proven track record. OK, so they've stuttered this season, but Burley is a bright young manager, paying for one season of overachievement.
Haggis, Manchester, England

I am deeply saddened. George was Ipswich through and through. This has convinced me that football really has lost its humanity.
George Donovan, UK

It's a sad day. Only time will tell if it's the right decision or not but George Burley's given us some of the best moments in our history and it's a great shame that it's come to this.
Gavin Barber, UK

He probably had to go. He seemed to have run out of ideas, and that showed in the players.
Howard Perry, UK

As a Norwich fan I think it's hilarious! If Burley had been left in charge I have no doubt they would have still challenged at the top of Division One this year. Now, who knows?
Kieron, England

I will be sorry to see George go. I think he will be missed by the club - the man has Blue blood in his veins. I wish him every success wherever he goes and I'm sure the club he manages next will succeed.

However, the board have taken a brave step and I will watch with interest who they appoint as George's replacement. I think Tony Mowbray is a good coach but the job has come too early in his post-playing career for management.

As Cotterill has gone to Sunderland and Taylor to Hull, there is not a manager on the open market that I'd care for.
Ian C, Welsh borders

A good day for Norwich City football club, Ipswich are doomed! I wonder when George Graham will be linked with Ipswich, both of them are history!
J Smith, Norwich, UK

He never prevented Ipswich from being a 'yo-yo' club. In his eight years he has not achieved what surely must be Ipswich's primary aim, stability in the Premiership. Maybe a fresh face can do this?
rich, UK

I believe that the Ipswich Town board have been too rash to sack a manager who has brought the good times back to Portman Road. Admittedly, the team has played very poorly recently, but that is down to the players and not the manager. Having said that, Burley's tactics have been questionable on several occasions and so the sacking was inevitable. I am, however, very sad to see such an astute manager be sacked by the club.
Chris Hinton, England

It is with great sadness that I hear the news of Burley's departure. It is not an unexpected move but I wish George Burley all the best and hope to see him managing a Premiership team soon. He would be a much better appointment than the Howard Wilkinsons of this world.
Rodders, Ireland

While Burley led the team to great times I feel he must shoulder some of the blame for the slump that has occurred this past year. As such I feel it was right that he was asked to leave at this time so new blood could be bought into the club.
Jim Cook, England

Why do so many chairman (Murray, Sheepshanks etc)believe that their clubs belong amongst the top clubs in England? Ipswich and Sunderland have overachieved and are now at their natural level.
Edos, UK

Burley has had his limitations and those of the club who have sacked him painfully exposed. Ipswich unfortunately suffered delusions of grandeur and their one decent season in the Premier was a complete fluke. Sorry boys, stick to driving tractors and leave football to the real clubs. And you never know your luck, you could get George Graham as manager!
Steve Holden, UK