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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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This guy tells lies every year to sell more season tickets. Club promised to reinvest money from sales of Wickham, Mings and Murphy. Didn't happen. who's to blame? Just looking at TWTD comments under this news I think that ITFC fans are the most naive in the world.
There we no surprises in the content of the interview we had al heard most or all of that before however the main point is I believe that at last we have seen and heard from Marcus Evans. Hope that this is a new way forward for us all and that we can see and hear more of Marcus in the local media.
Seems and sounds like the professional I thought he was. He knows how to say it, so to say. If its really him or just a sort of boardroom manner he's demonstrating is difficult to say. What I don't like is his very striking seriousness. The same I saw in Keane and also MM. Something calculated and dull and not exactly spontaneous. The worst thing about it is that it is expressed through the players on the pitch. They lack - or they lose - creativity and flare. A little less clevernessess, please. And make sure you get hold of a creative midfielder to feed smart passes through the middle. COYB!
Well I'm glad he's done this. It can only be a gold thing, and he says some of the right things.
However, does it really mean much? The important thing for me is what he DOES, not what he says. We've seen in his previous programme notes and his ridiculous 5-point plan that he can often SAY the right thing, but then it isn't always matched by actions.
The identity of the next manager and the funds he's given will determine next season, not a video.
He comes across as pretty frank, eloquent and comfortable in front of the camera. It really makes me question why it has taken 10 years for him to start engaging with the supporters. Hiding away is not the answer and I hope this is a turning point.
However, it's clear he has no intentions of investing any more money and the policy remains based on hope. He appears happy to bide his time on a relegation budget. One day we'll go up or we'll go down. He's got his fingers crossed it's up.
Amazes me that the general response on here is that everything is now rosy. Based on what, exactly? There was no suggestion that anything is going to change, bar the manager, and all policies remain the same.
Edited piece here. However very well spoken says what we know but it's a lot better coming from the top dog. a bit of engagement is better than none. My theory that its taken this long is.... Needed to get experience running the club so he doesn't sound like a novice, which he doesn't.... Falling attendances and season ticket renewals a real worry. Needed to look what we where saying, and he's answered in part, by coming g out and showing his face, telling us the plans etc Very well planned and hope to hear again maybe at the end or start of each season?
Anyway I've always liked Evans for some reason. Very clever and astute he seems to me.
Look, so what did we learn from ME video chat? Look, no more money to spend than last year. Look, new manager won't be bringing any backroom staff, look, we have it all already. Look, he will have to rely on loans and freebies and kids. Look, he will have to agree to all those points. Look, this is an advert to say , look, we are up for sale. ME loves the word "look" Great promo vid for sale of ITFC. Just my take on itt guys and girls
Look, so what did we learn from ME video chat? Look, no more money to spend than last year. Look, new manager won't be bringing any backroom staff, look, we have it all already. Look, he will have to rely on loans and freebies and kids. Look, he will have to agree to all those points. Look, this is an advert to say , look, we are up for sale. ME loves the word "look" Great promo vid for sale of ITFC. Just my take on itt guys and girls
Nice timing this by the owner----with no new manager to announce it may sell a extra season tickets before the early bird deadline closes.
Seems a long time to wait for a new manager, I suspect he has something up his sleeve and may be connected to the play offs----will there be an early bird window after the announcement is made?
That bloke who runs Taiwan actually sounds pretty good and may take everybody by surprise-----but isnt any appointment going to be a gamble?
as much as my opinion of M E has changed having listened to him, I still don't think we will be promoted on the strength of the academy , AND when we get decent players come through, they get farmed out or sold. We need a stronger backbone and without spending I fear nothing will change. That said I'm pleased he has come out and said it as it is, . Fingers crossed we get someone in to manage that can get that bit extra out of the players we do have, and play them in a way that brings out the best of whatever skills they do have, playing them in correct positions, allowing a team to settle, and playing players that prove they deserve to be in the team ,not just because he is a good bloke . I would feel happier and more confident if Bart commits himself to ITFC and signs new contract .
Well i,m in the not overly impressed camp with this. Scripted interview with very little actually said apart from what we knew..certainly nothing new , with a reference to something new and calculated..but nothing actually specified.
As for ME yes he cam across well and the only real positive i take from this he does seem to actually care to some degree. From the interview it,s no change to what has been before , so in essence it,s down to the new manager , this really is a crucial appointment , he got it right in appointing MM at the time as he was what was required , but he overstayed (as for PJ & RK both wrong choices) so lets hope he gets it right and who ever it is at least us as fans give the guy a fair crack of the whip as there is no magic wand and as the academy route seems to be what ME is relying on it,s a couple of seasons plan at least to see any real effect maybe so we need to give and support the next guy for that period unless he turns out to be complete cluster.
As a fan it's reassuring to know that the guy at the top is a human being like anyone else, and he genuinely wants the club to succeed as much as the fans. I think Mr Sheepshanks made the correct decision to sell the club on to Marcus Evans.
He's 100% right in sticking to his guns and imposing a limit on how much he puts in. No business, no matter what industry its part of is guaranteed to succeed even with massive investment. I would rather he do what he's doing now than gamble ITFC's long term future by un-necessarily throwing money at it and plunging us further into debt.
Mick did a terrific job in repairing the damage caused by those two idiots who preceded him, and he should quite rightly have left the club with his head held high. Not arguing against the logic for his departure, as it was obvious his time was up but just a huge shame that a small group of 'numbskulls' prevented him from having the send off he deserved.
That said, we move on and very much looking forward to the appointment of the next gaffer.
think you misread my comment @warktheline, I was referring to the 50 or so idiots who saw it fit to call Mick things usually reserved for rapists, murderers and child molesters during Mick's last game when he subbed young Mr Cotter. Things I had to then try to explain to my 7 year old son who asked me what they meant.
If that makes me a numbskull then guilty as charged. I not sure Mick was referring to me and my children, perhaps he was referring to you. We're you there?
Good to see Marcus engaging with us supporters. He seemed to be personable and spoke with honesty and candour. I am encouraged that he is taking a longer term view of the situation rather than a knee jerk reaction. He says that it's not about him so he is reluctant to be the front man. However, he has won himself some valuable points for doing this and I recommend that he continues to demonstrate visible leadership following on with the tradition of the Cobbolds and Sheepshanks. Getting the supporters behind him and the team can only pay dividends.
@diddle, did you also explain to your son why McCarthy told supporters to f*** off in front of the family section, or when he again told supporters to f*** off at Norwich? No wasn't there, and I've been open documenting that I wouldn't attend until foul mouthed hoof ball McCarthy f***** off!
Well after 10 years we all now know what a great chap Marcus seems. Fantastic in front of the camera etc etc.
Please get real here (most) people. We've had 10 years of utter rubbish. Marcus finally wants to talk to town fans, and says the rubbish of the last decade will continue unless a rich Arab drives up the A12 with his billions. We're currently a below mid championship team. Managerless. BART excepted a poor squad. And what we knew anyway no squad investment to come to improve. Most on here seem happy with this....because Marcus seems a nice chap.
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