BRYAN Klug has been tasked with transforming the future of youth football at Ipswich Town.

The former Blues assistant manager and academy director has agreed to make an emotional homecoming and will get straight to work next week.

And he will do so with the blessing of departing academy head Sammy Morgan who last month announced his decision to step down.

Morgan said: “I would be absolutely delighted if Bryan comes back. I have nothing but the greatest respect for him and I would wish him all the best.”

Ipswich have wasted little time in turning to Klug after Morgan announced his departure just 10 days ago. In truth, the club had no choice but to act swiftly with the new academy structures coming into play.

In March, Town opted for Category Two academy status, an added investment of �1 million a year but not the top-tier level advocated by more than 5,000 supporters through a petition.

But the money saved by not going for Category One might have helped entice Klug to a long-term deal at Portman Road – something that will go a long way to appeasing fans concerned about the current state of the club’s youth.

While the club and Klug are both remaining tight-lipped, we expect a formal announcement to be made within 48 hours with the 51-year-old – current head of player development at Tottenham – starting in his new job on Monday.

The news will be universally welcomed by supporters after Klug oversaw the development of home-grown talents Richard Wright, Kieron Dyer and James Scowcroft and guided the Blues to FA Youth Cup success in 2005.

Klug, who still lives in Suffolk, was assistant manager to Jim Magilton before being sacked by Roy Keane in 2010.

His appointment appears to be heralding a change of direction at Ipswich after Malcolm Moore, head of recruitment at the academy, announced his retirement.

Moore, who has been at the club for 20 years, said: “It’s a decision I have been thinking about for a while and it has not been an easy one.

“I leave though with so many good memories of my time at Ipswich Town – the young players I have worked with, the staff at the club and the terrific nights in the Youth Cup.”