Pejic Joins Academy - Ipswich Town News
Former Stoke, Everton and Aston Villa defender Mike Pejic has joined Town’s academy as head of youth coaching and coach education. The move will see Chris Kiwomya switch back to coaching the reserves in place of Steve Foley, who left the club in May, having run the U18 team last season.
Boss Roy Keane said: "Chris Kiwomya is moving over to the reserves and Mike is coming in to work with the academy boys and we are delighted to have him at the club."
Pejic, 60, won four England caps in the early seventies but is more famous for having been dropped from a squad by manager Joe Mercer because he "didn't smile enough".
The Chesterton-born left-back, who made more than 350 appearances for his club sides between 1968 and 1980, started his management career with Leek Town and Northwich Victoria, subsequently moving on to become youth coach at Port Vale.
After a spell in charge at Chester City, Pejic, who is half-Serbian, became regional director of the North East FA and also managed Malaysian side Selangor, two years after Kiwomya had a spell at the club.
Until recently Pejic, whose brother Mel played for Stoke City, Hereford United and Wrexham, was head of youth coaching at Plymouth Argyle.
Town have also confirmed that coach Ian McParland will remain with the club this season. The former Notts County boss, who joined the Blues last season, underwent a double hip operation in May and has been given extra time off, but should be back at the club at the end of the week.
Photo: James Ager
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