Town chief executive Simon Clegg has dismissed weekend speculation that Harry Redknapp was set to take over as manager of the Blues as “laughable”. Clegg says he is confident that current boss Paul Jewell can turn things around despite the disappointing start which sees Town in 23rd in the Championship.
Reports prior to kick-off on Saturday claimed that some bookmakers had suspended betting on Redknapp joining the Blues, although at least one of those cited was still offering odds of 20-1 at the time.
Clegg, speaking in a lengthy interview with Ipswich Player, says that there is nothing in claims that Redknapp — or any other boss — has been talked to about the Town job: "I can absolutely assure you that there have been no conversations with any other managers. The stuff about Harry is laughable really.
"People put two and two together and made about 27. Harry went out [to the Sir Bobby Robson Classic golf tournament in Portugal in the summer] as part of the Ipswich Town team. He’s done that in previous years. It’s not something we’ve made a big shout about, but all of a sudden people see Marcus and Harry together.
"Marcus and Harry have known each other for a number of years and it’s well known that he is one of the many people that Marcus consults with from the football family when making decisions.”
The chief executive says he is confident that Jewell can get the Blues moving in the right direction: "No doubts at all [that Paul is the man for the job].
"He’s the manager and it’s business as usual. We’re desperately trying to turn this situation around. Paul’s more conscious than most people in terms of what needs to happen.
"He’s a man who puts huge pressure on himself and I’m confident that we are going to turn this season around.”
However, he admits that if things don’t improve, a change would eventually be made: "We live in a dynamic and very fluid environment and of course there’s a tipping point.
"There’s a tipping point that comes with every manager but I’m not going to tell you when that tipping point is because it will depend on a number of factors which have to be taken into account as we go down this particular road.
"I continue to have every confidence in Paul and his ability to turn things around, and I hope that he will do.”