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Updated - Marcus Evans Interview Wednesday, 25th Apr 2018 12:03
Town owner Marcus Evans has given his first ever on-camera interview to iFollow Ipswich, watch it here on TWTD.
Among many topics covered in the near-half-hour interview, Evans talks about the appointment of the new manager - “It’s a big challenge and it’s a big issue for me, to find the right person” - and says he has an open mind regarding the new boss’s profile.
“I’m going to look for a manager who ticks [various] boxes and through a process of interviewing and speaking with those that know and have worked with the applicants I can get down to my final options,” he said.
“I’m not going to prejudge a manager, they could be young, they could be older, they could be experienced at winning promotion to the Premier League or not, but overall I want to find someone that buys into the club’s plans.
“To be clear on that, that’s based on the Five-Point Plan which I announced a while ago and that I feel brings Ipswich the best opportunity for promotion.
“it includes bringing players through from the academy, developing a team to play attractive and exciting football and achieving this within a competitive wage budget which is going to be below many of the parachute clubs in our division.
“It’s going to take some time and I expect to make an appointment towards the end of May or early in June, I would have thought, something like that.”
He added: “There are a lot of names in there and it’s a lot to go through. I think another couple of important factors in the appointment not being rushed are that a lot’s going to happen at the end of the season and management changes anyway are going to take place at the end of the season and we want to see what those changes are because there may be others that come on the list that aren’t currently on the list.”
Regarding out of contract players such as Luke Hyam and Teddy Bishop, who we understand is already in talks regarding a new deal, Evans said: “There are a few players, not that many, that we need to make imminent decisions on and the senior football staff will make the decisions on that.
“They will let me know what they think and then if it’s appropriate for negotiations to take place to renew contacts or do whatever we need to do, they will take place. They don’t need to wait for the new manager to be in place.”
Evans makes reference to the Five-Point Plan outlined in December 2016 on several occasions and says that remains the thinking with the new manager having to work within the same financial constraints as previous boss Mick McCarthy.
“I’m going to give the same answer to the new manager as I have to all the other managers in terms of being up front and honest about the budgets that are available and the way that we’re going to go forwards,” the owner said.
“I will continue to give the manager all the support I can within the sort of budgets that I’ve made available over the last few years.
“But let’s look at the squad we’ve got, it is competitive, it’s a great mix of youth and experience, we’ve got good cover across all positions.
“We’ve got players to come back from injury, Emyr’s going to come back, Adeyemi, Dozzell, and even the players who have been round this season, we’ve had so many who have had stop-start seasons.
“So once we get everyone fit, make a few select additions, I think we can be in the mix next year.
“And it is worth noting, despite what anybody thinks, our spend on the squad in terms of transfer fees and wages has been increasing each year.”
Evans admits he got it wrong when he increased season ticket prices last summer: “When I raised the season ticket prices last year that we clearly a mistake, I shouldn’t have done that.
“The reason behind it was that we needed more revenue to compete, we still need more revenue to compete, but that clearly wasn’t the way to do it and that’s why I’ve dropped the season ticket price this year by 10 per cent.”
The Blues owner has no immediate plans to sell the club but says he would be willing to listen to offers if someone was in a better position to fund a promotion push.
“If I didn’t feel we had a chance [of winning promotion], then, yes, it would be time for me to move on,” he admitted.
“But I’ve got no desire to sell, I think the plan that I’ve got in place has a chance of success and I want to be here to carry out that plan.
“But money is always going to make a difference and more money in this league would give us a better chance, particularly if it’s spent wisely and particularly if someone came along who could do a better job, had the personal and financial credentials to do a better job, I’d always do what’s right for the club.
“I suppose I’m in the fortunate personal position where I don’t have to recoup the investment I’ve made in the club.
“So, I suppose, yes, if the right person came along, offered the right prospect for the club, it would be wrong for me to stand in their way and I’d have to look at that very seriously.
“But I have to be honest with you, I’m not too sure why, but I haven’t seen too many Chinese or Russian oligarchs racing up the A12 in the last few years.”
On why he has chosen now to speak publicly on camera for the first time, he said: “I always thought it was really important that my being involved was certainly not about me in any way, it’s about the football side of the club and I’ve always tried to leave it like that, that the managers do the talking.
“But over this season, I think the circumstances have become different and it’s become clear to me that the fans really want to know where their club was going and I just felt the time was right now for me to have this interview.”
Photo: ITFC
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With not wanting to change back room staff it does point towards a young to management type as they won't have the big back room staff coming in or a first time manager with a director of football.
Marcus Evans produced a sane realistic debut interview. He cannot produce the mega riches that THE SuperWealth of the PL can, that was an honest statement. Yes he would listen if one of the Superwealth Club came along with Millions and a true desire for ITFC to succeed and as a businessman of course that is sensible. Many supporters have a desire for our own developed players to come through and be successful and he is underlining his own desire for that. He clearly believes in the " background staff" which points to not wanting to appoint a manager who wishes to bring his own entourage, and that may well dissuade some contenders. But that is showing loyalty. He also stated with conviction his belief that this seasons injured players will return , hopefully be fit and be encouraged to stay, again some more loyalty, but again maybe suggesting that the new manager may have to " run " with those before releasing new transfer money. He has not promised guaranteed success but more than once realised that the loyal Portman Road fans simply want ENTERTAINMENT. That is the simple fact.this last season scraped the bottom of the barrel. So in the coming weeks please take the best possible advise to identify and appoint the man who can deliver that and then those empty seats might start to fill again. We want to leave the last match and be counting down to the next one ahead, as once we did.
I think he comes across very well. I think the 5 point plan is good, and I think it's our only realistic way of making any progress. I never believed that he was going to start throwing anymore money at it, and I don't believe that would necessarily achieve anything anyway... we are NOT Manchester United and we never ever will be.
I believe that he has learned from his mistakes. Perhaps that's what has made him such a successful businessman? Unfortunately there have been a few. Hopefully there won't be too many more.
He is obviously taking the new managerial appointment very seriously. Good! Some of the names being linked are very interesting. Whoever gets the job will be given time, and will need our support. I'm still very hopeful that things will be back on track soon and I can't wait for the new season to start.
Evans came across well in this. Seems like a genuinely decent bloke who wants the best for the club. Glad he has done this interview and we can look forward to the new manager coming in and a new era at Portman Road!
Interestingly he said the manager wont be appointed until late May/early June. I think this means its highly likely the new manager is working at a club which is probably involved in a promotion situation in another league.
I was made to feel more confident by this interview and that's a great starting place. Now it's just the wait for the new manager to hear them say what they see as the future for our team. If the aim of the interview was to make us feel more positive than it was a success. The " try something Different /calculating" quote was very interesting. Can't guess who's in the frame but sounds like it's someone involved in the playoffs.
Thought he came across well, admitted his failings as an owner, acknowledged the importance of fans and our club's role within the community. I genuinely hope that the new manager buys into that philosophy. From an interview a while back I believe that is something the Cowley brothers feel is important, so maybe that is the direction we are heading. He seemed to paint a positive picture going forward and came across as sincere.
Absolutely incredulous short-sightedness by a large proportion of posters on this site.
Guy shows his face to the fans of the club he's owned for the past 11 years, speaks in generic platitudes and is now suddenly an honest, caring, stand-up guy with a clear vision!
He's very plausible, as you would expect. But the message is clear, it will be different but it won't be. The management might be left field but there won't be any more money to spend and they will have to play entertaining football when they are not grinding out results. The Academy is brilliant and we have so many youngsters in the team - do we...really? You could hear McCarthy speaking - if it wasn't for so many injuries...the Championship is the hardest league in the world...you have to play what's in front of you...parachute payments, etc etc. And of course I won't sell, I still have the drive and enthusiasm I had when I bought the club and want to get us promoted......well if someone offered me a lot of money then - I'd be off like a shot. And perhaps he could have been asked why there has been no investment whatsoever in the ground or the playing surface? Is that not tax deductible? And this radical management plan - who is advising him about that? Arsene or 'Arry?
Fair play to the guy. He has come out and answered the questions honestly. With the right manager in place , then yes we could compete next season. That appointment is his call so very much in his Hands to get the club back on track.
I cant believe everyone has been taken in by this. What did he actually tell us that we didnt already know ? Absolutely nothing. We have no money, which means the same mid table to bottom table players being recruited, or loaned, who cant play football, therefore we may as well have kept MM because the players we have here now cant play football,they only know how to stop other teams playing,. Dont expect anything different whoever comes in. Nothing will chance, and crowds will continue to dwindle.
I'm only 7 minutes in and I'm impressed with what Marcus is saying already. He seems to get it a lot more than I realised. I know actions speak louder than words but I have to say I'm more comfortable in his ownership than I was before I heard him speak. I might even need to be changing this Avatar! I'm more confident in his judgement than I was before today and if he can truly find a good manager to tick the boxes then we could have a real fighting chance going forwards. Feel a lot more positive about Ipswich than I have in some time. Hopefully it's not false hope. COYB!
Admit it most posters, you were waiting with your knives sharpened! But most on here have been reasonably impressed with Marcus' honesty and credibility. He appears to be trying to offer what most of us want (except masses of money of course) and the strategy will succeed or fail on his gamble with the new manager. I think the questions asked were challenging enough. I preferred listening to Marcus professionalism than McCarthy's arrogant tirades or Milne's middle man puppetry. I hope the plans succeed as there are thousands of fans waiting to return and hoping for some entertainment
Same old Same old.. Sounds like we won't be spending what we NEED to on 3 decent buys. Our academy is not the answer for championship football, that's why we try and loan out to lower league. June is way too long to bring a manager in, and shades of clueless on that front! ME wants the manager to have a plan A B and C, but not sure he has himself. Just wish I could be joyous
I've never been anti-Marcus and recognise it HIS money that keeps the club going. He has said that he doesn't need to recoup the cash personally and it's a good job given he's put in well over £100m and protects the club by making the debt owed to him. Some of the negative comments on here come from the sort of idiotic attitude that some foreign owners bring like Fawaz. We have never been a big spending club. Robson's sucess was in a shoestring, Lyell got us up without spending big and burley had to sell a top player or two each year. The investment however required to run the club is huge. Evans is a good owner, we should be grateful. He came across very well and I believe he's gone from buying the club to loving the club. I also agree that without the injuries both long term and intermittent this squad was capable of top six. The negativity on here comes from people who seem to lack any sense of realism and also appear to have very little thought and intelligence behind their opinions. I couldn't help thinking of Steijn with practically every answer he gave on the qualities the new manager needs. Go get him
so it boils down to a few lines. We keep the five point plan, nothing is going to change we just need a bit of luck and he will sell if the right offer came along which it has not yet. Looks to me like a whole lot riding on the next manager and the worry is old M.E aint that good at picking them.
Like it, or not, this guy is 'switched on' and Professional in his delivery.
What anyone could ask more from him is bizarre to say the least. For gods sake people get into your heads, that money to throw at players - doesn't guarantee success, in any sense of the word.
Personally, my opinion is that he spoke very well and delivered all I could expect of him. Remember he IS a successful businessman - a foreign multi - millionaire magnate is NOT necessary the answer for our Club.
Lets now get the right Manager in.
WHAT MORE CAN ANYONE ASK ???
Onwards and Upwards - I'm renewing my Season Ticket. COME ON YOU BLUES. FORWARD WE GO.
Some of you amaze me - for the WRONG reasons - with your comments.
Seemed quite reasonable to me :- though very staged. I guess we are looking for more of a Head Coach than a manger this time then. To me it makes sense, that way the manager isn't under any illusions that he's bigger than the club this time 8-)
I am astonished that the people commenting are surprised that ME is a good owner, to me it has obvious for many years, its the stupid impatient fans that have been the problem for the last few years. We all want the good times just be patient.
Just to confirm like most that came over as an honest and sincere interview,answering most questions without prevaricating.
Admitted that losses set off against profits in other parts of his empire,and might sell in the future if it was right for the club(and Marcus).Said hadn't had any Russian oLigarchs o r Chinese Billionaires driving up the A12,AND I WOULDN'T WANT EM.However not averse to a singer from Fram driving down to Ipswich with a wad to buy some shares which could give Club bit more to invest.
Came over well;and may make more buy a season ticket before the early bird deadline;although not as many as would have if new manager known by deadline as previously promised.
Have renewed anyrate and look forward to the forthcoming season a bit more than previously.
He doesn't necessarily say that the budget will be the same. He just says the conversation about it will be. Fair play: why tell the competition we're going to push for promotion with a couple of bigger players? Would just put prices up like it did ten years ago. This summer will be interesting. Expect a few surprises.
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