Simon Clegg reflects on “mixed” spell at Ipswich Town

SIMON CLEGG stood down as chief executive of Ipswich Town on Tuesday and reflected on a “mixed” tenure, during nearly four years at Portman Road.

As part of a strategy to meet the financial challenges of the Financial Fair Play rules, Marcus Evans, the club’s owner, and other members of the Board will be taking a more hands-on approach to the day-to-day management at Portman Road.

Clegg’s roles and responsibilities will be shared by joint-managing directors Jonathan Symonds and Ian Milne, with fellow board member Martin Pitcher working in a supporting role.

Clegg said: Obviously it’s been mixed and whether we like it or not, everything is judged on what happens on the pitch.

“There have been some successes but not as many as I would have liked, and generally speaking there have been some disappointments.

“I operate under the financial constraints of the owner and secondly, every player has his price,” added Clegg, in reference to Town missing out on transfer targets such as Charlie Austin and Tomasz Kuszczak.

“I recognise that, as chief executive and chairman, fans need to vent their frustration on someone and I have been the focus, but that goes with the job.”

He added: “I am moving on and I wish the club well for the future and genuinely believe that with Mick McCarthy in charge, Marcus Evans playing a much more hands on role and Bryan Klug in charge of the academy, it is in a good position.”

For much more with Clegg, read tomorrow’s Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times.