Bryan Klug: Ipswich Town caretaker manager admits negative atmosphere 'breaks his heart'

Bryan Klug talks to the media at Playford Road. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Ipswich Town caretaker manager Bryan Klug says the current disconnect between the club and fans "breaks his heart".

Head of coaching and player development Klug has been asked to take charge of the first team for the final four games of the campaign following the unexpected early exit of Mick McCarthy earlier this week.

McCarthy had seen his relationship with some supporters sour in recent times, and said that some "numbskull" fans had ruined games at Portman Road and were making it hard for players to perform.

However, Klug has vowed to do all he can to bring the feel-good factor back to the club during his spell at the helm, and is hoping to lay a positive platform for the next manager to build on next season.

"It's really sad, it's really concerning," he said.

"Hopefully we can put all that behind us and all enjoy what is a great football club.

"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. If at the end of this month I can see something is starting to knit back together then that will be a success for me."

Klug's first game is at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, while elsewhere in The Championship, Norwich City host promotion hopefuls Cardiff City.

In League One, Peterborough United could move back into the play-off places with victory over Rochdale, and there's must-win games for relegation-threatened MK Dons and Northampton Town who face Doncaster Rovers and Bury respectively.

Southend United travel to Oxford United, while in League Two, Luton Town could move another step closer to promotion by beating Crewe Alexandra at Kenilworth Road.

Stevenage and Cambridge United meet at the Lamex Stadium, and Colchester United welcome Notts County to Essex.

Cardiff beat Norwich City 3-1 in the return fixture earlier this season. Credit: PA

Saturday's fixtures

  • Norwich City v Cardiff City (Championship)

  • Nottingham Forest v Ipswich Town (Championship)

  • Bury v Northampton Town (League One)

  • MK Dons v Doncaster Rovers (League One)

  • Peterborough United v Rochdale (League One)

  • Oxford United v Southend United (League One)

  • Colchester United v Notts County (League Two)

  • Luton Town v Crewe Alexandra (League Two)

  • Stevenage v Cambridge United (League Two)