BRYAN Klug was today tipped by his former Blues boss to quickly find another coaching job.

Elvin King

BRYAN Klug was today tipped by his former Blues boss to quickly find another coaching job.

And Joe Royle says that any club that has a serious youth policy will 'snap him up'.

Klug has become the first coach to depart Portman Road since the arrival of Roy Keane as manager.

The former Republic of Ireland and Manchester United star remained loyal to the staff left behind by his predecessor Jim Magilton - with assistant manager John Gorman leaving at the same time as Magilton.

But Klug's role as head of football development, which he has held for just over a year following the arrival of Gorman to take over as Magilton's right-hand man, has given him little scope.

Sammy Moore is director of the Town academy - a job that Klug did so successfully for many years when he played a leading part in developing dozens of young players.

Richard Wright, Owen Garvan and Connor Wickham are the only players in Keane's current first team squad that came through the Playford Road-based academy, with 16-year-old Wickham spending time at Reading as a schoolboy before his family moved to Colchester when he was 12.

“Any club with a serious youth policy will snap Bryan up,” said Royle.

“He is a nice guy who is Ipswich through and through.

“Bryan has a lovely manner with young players and this is his forte.”

Royle, meanwhile, has not ruled out returning to management despite enjoying his current involvement in the media that sees him acting as summariser for live ESPN TV games.

“If the right club came along and wanted to have a go I would be interested,” said Royle.

“I am 60 now so am not interested in any ten-year plans.

“But there could be a place for an experienced manager with my track record.”