Clegg swaps Olympic team for Ipswich Town

THE mastermind behind Britain's record-breaking Olympic team - has taken an even bigger challenge - getting Ipswich promoted to the Premiership.

NEW CHALLENGE: Former British Olympic Association chief executive will take the same role at Championship football club Ipswich Town (Getty Images)

Simon Clegg was chief executive of the British Olympic Association for 12 years and served as the chef de mission at last year's Beijing Olympics - where Britain won 19 golds, 13 silver and 15 bronzes, finishing fourth on the medal table.

He stepped aside from his chief executive duties after Beijing to concentrate on preparing the 2012 team.

But he quit that role in a surprise announcement before Christmas.

"Marcus Evans (Ipswich chairman) and I are absolutely aligned about our aspirations for the club both on and off the pitch," said Clegg, whose job switch had been reported in the local press for some time.

"I have joined Ipswich Town because I am absolutely convinced that working together with the fans, sponsors, community and staff we can once again put the club back in its rightful place in the Premiership."

Ipswich - who won the UEFA Cup in 1981- were relegated from the Premiership in 2002 and currently sit ninth in the Championship but are well outside of play-off contention.