McCarthy admits Ipswich future is unclear after Lincoln loss

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)

Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy has admitted his future at the club is unclear after his side crashed out of the FA Cup last night.

In a replay short on quality, a late Nathan Arnold goal was the difference for Lincoln, and the Imps claimed a famous cup victory over their Championship opponents.

Ipswich are 59 places above the National League side in the footballing pyramid, but it was hard to tell who was the higher placed team last night as Lincoln dominated for long spells and deserved their win.

Speaking after the game, a visibly disappointed McCarthy told BBC Sport: “If the club want to sack me, so be it, and if the fans are that sick of me then that makes life difficult for me at every game.

“When we win it’s OK, and when we lose it’s ‘I’m getting sacked in the morning’.

“I’ve had wonderful support from the fans, I’m not going to complain about them.”

Ipswich, who are currently 14th in the Championship and without successive wins all season, were lucky to even have a replay after Lincoln led twice in the initial tie just over a week ago, which ended 2-2 at Portman Road.

In that game, a brilliant individual performance from Tom Lawrence rescued the Tractor Boys, but there was no such magic last night from any of the Ipswich players.

“I would expect better from my team and I didn’t get it,” said McCarthy.

“I’m not going stand here and berate my players because they’re the ones I have to trust and rely on. They’re bitterly disappointed with how we played.

“Clearly it wasn’t a good performance but I am going to congratulate Lincoln and say how well they played. They dominated the game.”