New Ipswich manager Paul Jewell will be among the spectators for Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final with Arsenal before beginning his attempt to rebuild the shattered confidence at Portman Road.
The former Derby and Wigan boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the npower Championship club to replace Roy Keane and inherits a club languishing just three points above the relegation zone.
Promotion to the Barclays Premier League remains the target for the ambitious Suffolk club and Jewell is expected - as Keane was - to deliver before his deal runs out in 2013.
First however the Tractor Boys face Arsene Wenger's stars in the first leg of the cup clash and Jewell has confirmed that he would not be taking charge for the game.
Coaches Ian McParland and Tony Loughlan - who oversaw Sunday's 7-0 thrashing at Chelsea in the FA Cup third round - will prepare for the tie with Jewell officially starting work on Thursday morning.
Jewell said: "Tony and Charlie (McParland) will be in charge on Wednesday night and I will take charge on Thursday.
"I've not even met the players or the staff yet, it's been a real whirlwind and I don't want to cause a distraction.
"I have DVDs to watch this afternoon and I will be in the stands on Wednesday night."
Keane's unhappy reign came to an end last Friday with Town sliding down the league after a run of seven defeats in nine games.
But Jewell - who took both Bradford and Wigan into the top flight - is confident of making it a hat-trick after consolidating this season.
He said: "I've had a few opportunities to come back in but this one ticked all the boxes and I can't wait to get started.
"I'm not here to say Roy Keane failed here. It's always sad when a manager loses his job but I am going to do my best."
