Town academy director Bryan Klug said returning to Playford Road was like “coming home” after his appointment was confirmed this morning. The 51-year-old, who has previously spent more than 30 years with the Blues as a player and a coach, started his new job this morning on a rolling contract.
Speaking at a press briefing at Portman Road Klug said: "It does feel like I’m coming home. I’ve had a really good two years at Tottenham. At the time it didn’t really feel like a good idea but it was a really good thing for my personal development to go and work with some top, top coaches.
"When I left Ipswich it was one of the only clubs I would have gone to because of their philosophy with their academy. That has been a plus but all the time I was obviously hoping that I would be able to come back and carry on working for this club, as I have done for many, many years.
"I’m really looking forward to the challenge. The EPPP presents a lot of challenges because I think it’s geared to a model based on the top Premier League clubs.
"I think here at Ipswich we do things in our own way and we’ve obviously got to find a way, within the strict guidelines, to carry on what we do here, which is produce top footballers from this area. It’s a big challenge and I’m really, really looking forward to it.”
TWTD first reported that the Blues had approached Klug about returning the club in February, but it took several months of discussions involving Simon Clegg, manager Paul Jewell and owner Marcus Evans before they got their man.
Clegg says Klug’s job title illustrates the significance of the role he is taking on as youth football goes into a new era: "I’m absolutely delighted that Bryan has accepted the opportunity of coming back to the club into a new role of academy director. I think using that particular title demonstrates the priority we are placing on this position.
"Obviously EPPP is having a huge impact on youth development across the whole of England and all clubs in the Football League and the Premier League.
Back home
"When Sammy Morgan decided he was going to move on it was critical that we found someone who we believed had not only the right coaching background but someone who has the other skillsets that are going to be necessary to take the academy forward in the future, and I’m delighted that Bryan has come home to Ipswich.”
Former skipper Matt Holland added his wholehearted support for Klug’s return on Twitter: "ITFC have made their best signing of the summer by bringing Bryan Klug back as academy director.”
Ex-keeper Shane Supple, who was in the 2005 FA Youth Cup-winning side during Klug’s last spell in charge at Playford Road, added: "You’re not wrong. Great to see Klugie back.”
Another member of that team, full-back James Krause, who these days is a performance analyst intern back at the academy, was similarly pleased with the appointment: "Bryan Klug back as academy director is great news for the club.”