Super Eagles coach George Finidi, a former winger for Ipswich Town, has expressed his delight at the club’s long-awaited return to the Premier League, Owosports.com.ng reports.
The Blues secured a convincing 2-0 win over Huddersfield in a Championship fixture at Portman Road, confirming their promotion to the top flight.
Finidi, who made 46 appearances and scored eight goals for Ipswich Town between 2001 and 2003, was one of the club’s marquee signings during his time. Although he couldn’t prevent the team’s relegation in 2002, he remained with the club until his contract was paid up in 2003.
“I’m really happy for Ipswich Town FC,” Finidi told Punch Sports Extra. “They deserve it after trying for so long to get back to elite football; finally, they got the ticket.”
Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson scored the goals that sealed Ipswich’s promotion, capping off an impressive season that saw the team finish with 96 points, just one point behind champions Leicester. Ipswich becomes the first team since Southampton in 2011-12 to achieve consecutive promotions from the third tier to the first tier.
Manager Kieran McKenna joins an elite group of Ipswich managers who have secured promotion to the top flight, including Alf Ramsey, Bill McGarry, John Lyall, and George Burley.
Finidi added, “They (Ipswich) deserve it after trying for so long to get back to elite football; finally, they got the ticket. It’s a great achievement for the team and the fans, who have been waiting for this moment for a long time.”
Source: Punch Sports