BRUCE Rioch wants to become George Burley's successor as manager of Ipswich Town.

The former Wanderers and Arsenal boss said he was primed to step in as speculation dampened on Ronnie Moore's possible switch to Portman Road.

Moore wants the post but Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks told the BBC on Sunday he had not approached Rotherham for their boss.

Rioch - who still lives in East Anglia after his spell as Norwich manager - has watched the developments with interest.

"Obviously I would have an interest in the position at Ipswich Town," said the 51-year-old, who has been without a club since acrimoniously parting company with Wigan Athletic in February 2001.

Rioch was interested in returning to former club Derby last season as successor to one-time assistant Colin Todd, but was beaten to the post by John Gregory.

The former Scotland captain was also interviewed and then short-listed for the job of national team manager - only to lose out to Berti Vogts.

Now, with his home just half-an-hour's drive from Ipswich, a seemingly tailor-made vacancy has come up although Rioch is disappointed to see fellow Scot Burley lose his job.

"I am extremely sad for George," said Rioch.

"He has done a wonderful job for the club in the eight years he has been there and he is Ipswich through and through - having also given them all those years of playing service.

"But understandably in this industry you are governed by results, and naturally I would be interested in talking to Ipswich Town."

Ipswich and Norwich supporters share a fierce rivalry but Rioch does not believe he would be tainted by his status as a former Canaries boss.

The likes of George Graham - who he succeeded at Highbury in 1995 - have in recent years switched allegiancies to local rivals.

And the Ipswich goalkeeper Andy Marshall has been accepted by the 'Tractor Boys' faithful after transferring from Norwich.

"I don't think that's so much of an issue now, and in football all that matters is getting results for the club," Rioch said.

"That's what the supporters and the directors want, and I have managed to get results wherever I have been."