Ipswich still backing Jewell

Published Sep. 26, 2012 9:16 a.m. ET

foxsports

Ipswich chief executive Simon Clegg says Paul Jewell will remain in charge on Saturday and labelled a link with Harry Redknapp as "laughable".

The Tractor Boys are only kept off bottom spot in the Championship at present by pointless Peterborough and there have even been rumours of former Spurs boss Redknapp taking over at Portman Road.

But Jewell still retains the support of Clegg and owner Marcus Evans, with the former insisting it is business as usual despite the poor run of results.

Clegg told Ipswich's official website: "Paul will be our manager for the game on Saturday at Barnsley, no question.

"It's business as usual. We are obviously disappointed with our position in the table but we are working desperately hard to turn the situation around.

"Paul is more conscious than anyone what needs to happen. He puts huge pressure on himself and I'm confident that he is the right man to get us heading in the right direction.

"There have been no conversations with other managers about the job here. The story about Harry is laughable really. People have put two and two together and got 27."

Portman Road has been gripped with a mixture of anger and apathy in recent times but Clegg has reaffirmed the owner's commitment and stressed the desire to bring success to the club.

He added: "We bought Paul Taylor for ?1.5million a few weeks back. Danny Higginbotham has come in on loan. We will continue to add to the squad as and when we need to.

"There is a plan and that is to get us promoted at the earliest opportunity.

"It's becoming increasingly difficult though because of the number of clubs benefiting from parachute money from the Premier League.

"Marcus is a man who has enjoyed considerable success in his career and he doesn't walk away from things easily.

"He doesn't enjoy failure and he will continue to invest in the club to ensure we do have success.

"Fans want success but if, in five or 10 years' time, if we are still talking about the successes of the past then the modern generation of players would have failed."

Asked if fans' concerns were being taken into account, Clegg said: "I would be naive and shortsighted not to listen to the fans."