PLYMOUTH Argyle are keeping all options open with regards to the future of under-fire manager Paul Sturrock.

The appointment of Paul Mariner as the club's head coach has led to speculation that he could succeed Sturrock at some point between now and next summer.

There would then be the possibility of Sturrock moving into a director of football role.

Sturrock has come under intense pressure from disgruntled fans after Argyle's dreadful start to the Championship season.

Plymouth are in 23rd position going into the game against bottom-of-the-table Ipswich Town at Home Park today (3pm).

That has resulted in the recent departures of assistant manager Kevin Summerfield and defensive coach John Blackley.

Mariner was officially unveiled by Argyle as their head coach at a media conference yesterday.

But the topic of Sturrock's future at Argyle was addressed by chairman Sir Roy Gardner in a club statement, which was issued at the same time.

Gardner said: "Paul Sturrock's contract expires at the end of the season and all options are still open as to what his relationship with the club will be then, or if any earlier change needs to be made during the season.

"Should anyone doubt it, Paul Sturrock is fully committed to this club and working strenuously as we all strive to improve the on-field performances.

"He takes responsibility for the poor results on the field.

"Paul is currently working with the board and has been fully involved with changes that have convinced Paul Mariner to come to Plymouth as head coach.

"The two Pauls are now working closely together on refreshing all on-field activities, including the coaching set-up.

"They, and the board, are focused on making further significant changes in order to bring about a rapid improvement to the results.

"We ask that we all get behind the team and the new regime."

Argyle executive director Keith Todd has not ruled out the possibility of Mariner being a manager-in-waiting.

"It's always an option out there isn't it?" he said, during the media conference at Home Park yesterday.

"I have never been involved in running a football club before, but I have run businesses.

"And one of the things in any successful business is that you think about succession."

The Argyle board of directors could therefore be hoping that Sturrock will steer the team to Championship safety this season and then appoint Mariner as manager next summer.

For the meantime, Sturrock will continue to pick the team and decide on tactics.

He believes he and Mariner will enjoy a healthy working relationship.

"The first thing I told him was that I would be very unhappy if I had a nodding dog," said Sturrock.

"At the end of the day, I don't want to hear what I think. I want his opinion on things, as I have always wanted from my coaches.

"I have actually changed a couple of things on what I thought was good advice from him. So that's the way we are going to be working."

Gardner also commented on the departures of Summerfield and Blackley in yesterday's club statement.

He said: "The board is well aware of the acute disappointment our poor start to the season has caused.

"We are conscious of the concerns and feelings of supporters. We feel every point lost just as passionately as any fan.

"In July, we embarked on a comprehensive programme to re-look at all aspects of the club, and the poor results on the pitch have accelerated the part of this programme concerned with on-field activities.

"As an initial result of this work, we advised all the coaching staff that their contracts would be honoured, but would not be renewed at the end of the season, and that we would be bringing in Paul Mariner to head up all coaching activities.

"In separate personal conversations with Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley, it was concluded that, in their interest and that of the club, they would both leave the club immediately to allow for a new coaching regime to be established.

"We thank them for the considerable part they have played in the growth of the club."