Blues caretaker-boss Bryan Klug says manager Mick McCarthy needing to be escorted to the team coach, as happened at Brentford following the game last Saturday, was “totally wrong” and is “not the club I know”. Klug, who is in charge of the Blues for the final four games of the season, hopes the rift between fans and club which he says has even impacted on academy recruitment begins to be healed during his short spell at the helm.

McCarthy, who departed on Tuesday after the 1-0 victory over Barnsley, was subjected to greater levels of abuse than at previous games by sections of the away support at Griffin Park, leading to widespread criticism from other supporters, even among some of those similarly happy to see him departing.

A number of the former boss's detractors waited for him at the end to continue to make their thoughts known as the squad and staff prepared to return to Suffolk and he was escorted to the coach by Bees staff.

Speaking at his lunchtime press conference, Klug wasn’t keen to talk in too much depth about the schism between the former boss and the club’s support but was evidently disappointed by the treatment meted out to McCarthy.

“I’m really not make any comment on that,” he said. “I can’t do anything about that. I want everybody thinking about being positive really.

“There are certain things that have happened, it’s totally wrong that a manager of Ipswich Town has to be escorted [out of the ground].

“Whatever’s gone on that’s prompted me having to be here today. That should never, ever happen, that’s not the club I know, it’s not the people I know. That’s all I really want to say about it.

“The only other thing to say is, ‘Can we be positive now? Can we please be positive?’. I can’t stress that enough.

“I was speaking to the lads and said Portman Road has become a very difficult place to win and credit to you all for getting a victory on Tuesday, so really I don’t want to dwell on it.”

Reflecting further on the gulf between club and fans which has opened up this season, he added: “It’s really sad, it’s really concerning. I’m not going to go into any detail, but that’s the past, hopefully we can put all that behind us and all enjoy what is a great football club.

“I live in the town, I’ve lived in the town for 40 years now, since I came down here in 1977, so I know what the club means to everybody and it breaks your heart to hear people... even at academy level it’s started to affect our recruitment and that’s never happened before.

“But that’s the past, I just hope people come down and enjoy, which is what it’s about, isn’t it? It’s supposed to be enjoyed.

“If nothing else, if we lose all four games you guys will be all over me, I know that, but if at the end of this month I can see that something’s started to knit back together then that will be a success for me.”

Klug says contrary to some claims McCarthy was very good with the club’s academy players and on occasion gave them their chance earlier than he anticipated.

“I actually came back from Tottenham a few months before Mick came in and I can remember the first meeting with him, talking about the young players and six years ago we didn’t really have a lot that were going to be able to help him,” the 57-year-old recalled.

“But over a number of years I’ve toiled with the rest of my staff trying to improve that situation, and that’s ongoing obviously, and he’s been absolutely brilliant with the players. I think the record of actually giving players opportunities is second to none.

“I think we’re right up there in the Championship with minutes for U23 players, sometimes obviously through circumstances.

“From my point of view I only want them to go in when they’re good enough and they’re going to stay in there and improve the team.

“He’s helped me develop those players and has been very supportive of the programme that we’re putting together to try and ensure we get very good young players.”

Photo: TWTD

Suffolk_n_Good added 20:05 - Apr 12 Don't get me wrong I'm really not condoning the fans behaviour, but part of me can't help but think McCarthy brought on the abuse through his own actions, for 12 months now he has taken every opportunity available to him to stick 2 fingers up to the fans, he therefore can't now start bleating when the fans turn on him, he had many opportunities to extend the olive branch, but never once took it. I'm 100% happy he has gone, I am delighted Klug has taken temporary charge & whoever our new man is we need to unite behind him

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chorltonskylineblue added 20:05 - Apr 12 Bryan Klug clearly lives and breathes Ipswich. He's obviously worked hard, getting a great team of coaches together, and we're seeing the benefits now. I hope whoever comes in as manager recognises this and has a long-term plan that includes developing youth players. I agree that the treatment of Mick at Brentford was wrong and reflects badly on the club.
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Swn98 added 20:22 - Apr 12 Your correct Blue75 i tried to be conciliatory last week but alas blueboy and Warktheline et al have to keep digging us out. Its time to call a truce especially as im getting bored with it all now.
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TimmyH added 20:30 - Apr 12 How about visiting the Kuqi 'Why I want to be Town boss' thread and look to the future rather than hanging around in this one still protecting your loved one swn98. Let's move on...
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warktheline added 20:36 - Apr 12 So Swn can list 'numbskulls' and nowt happens ! Maybe I'll buy another mini bus for the 'happy chappies no longer'! 😂....by the way swn, a bit low placing Seasider on your 'hit' list! One of the best constructed posters on site, so he is!
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BillyBaxterwasbest added 20:38 - Apr 12 John Cobbold will have turned in his grave over the events of the past three months. Sad
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warktheline added 20:38 - Apr 12 ....I'm also disappointed to come in at number 4 on list !😂
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Gcon added 21:13 - Apr 12 Timmy H. I could respond to your ridiculous post in a grown-up manner, but why bother? What would be the point? Tiimmy..... - really, Timmy? What kind of person is called Tiimmy? Surely only a bedwetting mummy's boy is called Timmy. Honestly, no offence to bedwetters or mummy's boys, but come on....
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Gcon added 21:15 - Apr 12 I'm not condoning it BUT...... No, that's not good enough. You are effectively condoning it.
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blueboy1981 added 21:27 - Apr 12 Personally, I think McCarthy has split the Club so much I really cannot see the Supporters ever being as one again. Desperately hope I'm wrong - but it doesn't look good. Thankfully the Mick men are in the minority - proved alone by the empty stands, if any further proof is needed - coupled with the recent display of discontent in the ground still attending. Either way, if we have supporters who have no more ambition for us as a Club than what McCarthy delivered - then I guess the writing is on the wall anyway. COME ON YOU BLUES - lets rise above it - in memory of such great men, and Club servants, who stand alone outside the ground 24/7/365. No names mentioned - but they wanted, and delivered success for our great Club. Lets not forget that - and do them both justice for what they did for US - YES US.

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blueboy1981 added 21:32 - Apr 12 Gcon - if Phil / Gav have any - they should remove your posts, and BAN YOU from this site. That is total ABUSE in the direction of TimmyH. Don't EVER dare aim such at me. Typical example of why this Club will doubtfully ever be united. Should never happen. Disgraceful.
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warktheline added 21:33 - Apr 12 Gcon, you should apologise for ( ref: Tim ) post! Unacceptable !
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blueboy1981 added 21:45 - Apr 12 Phil - you need to do something with both Swn98 and Gcon. Most other posters give reasonably balanced views - these two have well and truly over stepped the mark of reason. And you should know it ... !!! Worst of all - they categorise themselves as real Supporters - now come on ?
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Gcon added 22:04 - Apr 12 Sir, G Con called Timmy a bedwetter..... Yes but Miss, he told me to grow a pair. Sir, He has 'stepped over the mark of reason'. And as you well know 'people who live in a greenhouse shouldn't....' May I suggest a new feature on TWTD - Blueboy's confuddled cliches. Also, Blueboy - SWN98 offers far more balanced views than you could ever muster. Stop bullying him.
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thevoiceofreason added 22:05 - Apr 12 I have not been inclined to post before but now that, in my opinion, the dark clouds are starting to part, I feel compelled to comment on this strand. People have very different ways in how they show their feelings towards the club. Some boo in general, some direct abuse at the manager and some stop going to matches. I am in the former camp. Last game I went to was Derby away last season. We won but I came away thinking what a shocking game it was and that I did not enjoy it and decided enough was enough.There has been a lot of talk about minorities and majorities on these boards this season but I believe there were a great many people who wanted a change of manager at the club, probably more than those that wanted the status quo to persist. One thing I am certain of though is that those responsible for MM being escorted to the bus were indeed in the minority so, in the present climate, it would probably be best if MM's supporters try not to blame every MM outer for their behaviour. I think that is reasonable - unlike a certain recent post...

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ArnieM added 22:28 - Apr 12 These scumbags who attacked MM / players at Brentford are quite happily bragging about it on FB , on the Ipswich Town FC forum group. Their names quite clearly posted along with their ugly bald mugs! Should be too hard for these bas tewards to be named , shamed & more importantly banned from ALL grounds. I think some have already been banned from PR but they go to away games and a lot of London based games, and I suspect they will be at Saturdays game and giving large about how they got MM to throw in the towel. The cretins!

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Suffolk_n_Good added 23:10 - Apr 12 We all have different views, we have all have different opinions on who the next manager should be, but at the heart of it all we all want what's best for ITFC. It's time for everyone to unite behind the club now, I've had several run-ins with Swn98 amongst others, but the team, the club, Bryan Klug & the new manager need our undivided support now, so I offer the hand of friendship to Swn98, Gcon, etc.... 🤝 we need to stand together moving forward. #strongertogether

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TimmyH added 23:11 - Apr 12 Think I touched a nerve there...Timmy, Tim, Timothy I go by any of those :) By the way just to let you mentioned me being a 'bedwetter mothers boy' - well I am coming up to 50 and suppose I'll be getting to that age :) I won't retaliate as I know you and a few obvious others are feeling delicate at the moment after the departed one...
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Bert added 23:28 - Apr 12 Perhaps now the missing supporters will return to this forum. The last 2 years has seen abuse, lack of objectivity etc from the so called supporters who abused this site to fuel their own nasty ways. I have never lost my love for ITFC but it has been tested. Make the right appointment and Ipswich Town FC can return to being a family club that connects with all supporters. Just leave the numbskulls behind if they cannot act with civility.

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coolcat added 23:34 - Apr 12 Brian Klug is right to speak out about Mick's treatment on Saturday & to start trying to unite the fans/club. I was there at the match on Saturday and stayed after the match as well, as I like to show my support. Thought it was sad to see TC being escorted onto the team bus by a Police Officer. First time I've ever seen that as a Town supporter & hopefully the last. Klug and the rest of the academy coaches are obviously a close knit team who all worked well together with MM. There is a good work ethic at the club. I like the upbeat positive approach, with Nash, Hogg, Williams and Chambers all helping as well. Best of luck with the remaining games. I'll be there on Saturday as usual showing my support.

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wilnisfan added 05:27 - Apr 13 TBH no manager ever really lasts more than 3 years before the fans start turning. Unless they are winning things, but that really comes from a big investment from the club. Okay lets break his tenure down by net transfer spend: 2012 +2.6m (Jewell) 2013 0.41m (Mick) 2014 -4.1m 2015 -9.6m 2016 -1.5m 2017 +2.4m Overall during his tenure he bought and sold pretty well as he made a net transfer spend of -12.3m. He made us money. Arrived in 2012 when Paul Jewell had just spent 2m on Paul Taylor and a total of 2.6m on players. After which we had to tighten our belts in 2013/14. This is where he developed two great left backs who would go on to be sold, without him being able to immediately reinvest. Finally when he did manage to spend some money, he had to sell his top striker as he couldn't stop him moving onto bigger wages and a chance to go to a team with serious investment in the playing squad for a promotion push.

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cat added 06:45 - Apr 13 Give me strength, is this being blown a little out of proportion?? have any of you whiter than white posters never been to a match, got beered up and joined in with the mob and regretted it the day after. Pragmatic - you are one of the foulest posters on here and that's towards your own kind.
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jimbo67 added 06:55 - Apr 13 What ever the fan's thought of Mick there is no way he should have been escorted to the team bus I myself didn't like what was happening at this great club or neither did I agree with the style of football we were playing. However I wouldn't behave in that manner as a minority of supporters have you should hang your heads in shame
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blue75 added 07:51 - Apr 13 Swn98 it's really very simple if there's nothing nice to say about a poster don't say anything and as you say ignore the ones that single u out. After it's only words as I tell my children sticks and stones will break yer bones words will never hurt you.
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Gcon added 09:10 - Apr 13 "Have you whiter than white posters never got beered up and joined in with the mob?" Really??? I believe that is a numbskull hiding amongst a crowd of numbskulls justifying aggressive behaviour towards an individual. Acceptable? NO. ITFC? NO. Representative of the mentality of TWTD posters? Sadly.
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