Town chief executive Simon Clegg has refused to either confirm or deny that the Blues have targeted former coach Bryan Klug for a return to the club's Academy, as first revealed by TWTD on Sunday. Klug was controversially axed by former boss Roy Keane in January 2010 and is currently the assistant director and head of player development with Tottenham’s youth set-up.

Town are yet to decide whether to opt for Academy Category One or Two status — only six clubs from outside the Premier League have indicated they are even considering the former — but either way there will be an increase in staffing numbers and probably a reshuffle across the board with Klug potentially back at the helm.

Clegg said: “It would be wrong for me to speculate on any member of staff, past or present. One thing is clear though — even if we aspire to Category Two — there will be a need for additional staff.”

Clubs have until March 31st to indicate their decision with the new EPPP four-tier Academy system — which Town voted against - set to be brought in next season.

Photo: Action Images

martleshamitfc added 10:37 - Feb 23 If you want to be the best then you need to compete with the best. Category 1 is a must, especially if norwich go for it otherwise we will miss out on the local talent in East Anglia. Surely it will be have to be a very goof offer to get Klug back here from Tottenham? i hope he does return as he has an excellent record here.
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itfc1981 added 10:42 - Feb 23 How about a part exchange Clegg going the other way along with 2million for Spurs to take him off our hands?
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alfromcol added 11:06 - Feb 23 A counter to having an academy at all. Why invest all this money, presumably millions over a number of years, simply to nurture one or two gems, most academy hopefuls fall by the way side and never make the grade? Why not invest the money and pick up good young players from other clubs who have invested millions in the academy process?
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itfc1981 added 11:21 - Feb 23 Alfromcol, are you Simon Clegg?
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newboy added 11:22 - Feb 23 I fail to understand the negativity surrounding the academy this year 2 boys were offered professional deals joe Wight Callum Bennett , last year Josh carson and connor wickham the previous year Luke Hyam Ronan Murray Tom Eastman the scholars wages are subsidised and the scholars have sponsors we also have Cody Cropper Cormac Burke it is unlikely that we are going to pick good young players from other clubs no one wants to come here so we have to develop our own

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buryblue77 added 12:07 - Feb 23 Does it sound like they are in talks then? Generally if the story is complete nonsense then a full denial will be made, if it seems that there is some weight in the rumour then often a refusal to commit an answer is often a good indication that something could be going on. What with the other story about Frans Thijsen, why has he suddenly mentioned Ipswich, are we lining up a top class academy directed by Klug and coached by Thijsen and possibly Kluivert?

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pazelle added 12:16 - Feb 23 "Cannot confirm or deny" = Cannot deny = he's definitely on his way back Welcome back Bryan Klug!
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ChurchmanBlue added 12:28 - Feb 23 Just a quick point, but Sammy Morgan is not the youngest, and whilst this does not detract from his capabilities to perform his dutiues, he may actually want to retire?
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BlueVelvet added 12:43 - Feb 23 'aspire to Cat 2' leads me to think its a higher Cat than Cat 1. Wot nonsense Clegg. Next thing you'll be saying is that you 'aspire' to reach League 1 and League 2 the following season
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Mark added 12:45 - Feb 23 "...even if we aspire to Category Two..." Have the club ruled out a Category Three academy?
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Tiggs added 13:40 - Feb 23 Good call itfc1981. The bloke is an overpaid waste of space. CLEGG OUT!!!!
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Lightningboy added 13:42 - Feb 23 Klug IN - Clegg OUT.
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adamisablue added 15:43 - Feb 23 cat 1, although costing more in the short term, will actually make money in the long term. its just good bussiness to go for cat 1. for example, if we go for cat 2, (from what i can gather, i dont know the ins and outs) all the above names mentioned in a preious post would go for a fraction of there actuall worth to cat 1 acadamys, meaning we would lose money and players (well the gems anyway) hand over fist. we have faciltys, money and abilty to get quality staff in (frans, patrick and bryan respectivly) so lets not shoot ourselves in the foot and build for the future (as we are being constatly told) and actually build the ladder to the top, as opposed to just reaching for the top...

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Dissboyitfc added 19:06 - Feb 23 sounds to me like a decision on category status has already been made.... clegg out klug in... coyb
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