Armando Dobra has shunned interest from Leeds United and Southampton in order to sign a new contract at Ipswich Town, according to the East Anglian Daily Times.
The misery appears to have been replaced with, yes, even more misery at Portman Road.
An Ipswich side who bombed spectacularly in the Championship last season had initially looked set for an immediate return to the second tier. But a Tractor Boys side driven by Paul Lambert have spluttered and stalled in recent months, falling from the automatic promotion positions to tenth in League One in the blinking of an eye.
At least Ipswich fans have the thought of some exciting academy graduates to keep them warm at night. Luke Woolfenden and Flyne Downes (or ‘Flynedine Zidownes’ as some call him) are bright sparks in a dark era in Anglia, although how much longer they stick around remains to be seen.
Dobra has at least put any speculation over his future to bed by signing a new three-year deal. According to the EADT, the London-born Albanian is confident that he will be handed the chance to become a first-team regular at Ipswich, having made eight senior appearances this season.
The report adds that South Coast rivals Southampton and Brighton were both interested, with the latter making a £500,000 bid in January. Leeds were in the mix too, although Dobra appears to have given the opportunity to work with the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa the cold shoulder.
Considering that the ex-Argentina, Chile and Marseille coach has worked wonders with Ben White, Jack Harrison, Kalvin Phillips and more at Elland Road, Dobra’s decision might leave some in west Yorkshire raising their eyebrows in disbelief.
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