Ipswich Town: Club chairman Mike O'Leary retires

O'Leary, 71, has guided the club since the Gamechanger 20 takeover back in April 2021.

He'll be replaced by CEO Mark Ashton, who runs the club on a day to day basis.

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O'Leary said: “I have thought very carefully about this for some time.

"I have consulted with Ed Schwartz, our major shareholder and advised him that after three and a half years in post, I should like to step down and retire.

"There is no better time to do so than when the club is in such great shape.”

Mike O'Leary, left, has been a key figure at Town since the Gamechanger 20 takeover in April 2021 (Image: Steve Waller)
He added: “As I approach my 72nd birthday, I know that this is the right decision. My family home is in Worcestershire, some 200 miles from Portman Road.

"The considerable travel involved in continuing to serve as chairman has been taking its toll.”

O'Leary concluded: “Reaching the Premier League was always the dream when I became chairman in 2021, but I never dared to believe that it would happen so quickly.

"I have a strong sense of ‘mission accomplished’ as I prepare to say my farewells.”

CEO Mark Ashton will take over as chairman (Image: PA)
Ashton said: “Mike is, and will always continue to be, a long-term friend. He was instrumental in the acquisition of the club, and has been an amazing support to me over many years - in particular during the past three years at Ipswich Town Football Club.

"I’ll be forever grateful to him for that.”

Majority shareholder Ed Schwartz says O'Leary will 'always be welcome at Portman Road' (Image: YouTube)
Schwartz added: “We all owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Mike. It was his tireless work that got the takeover across the line in 2021.

"He has not only been a great colleague, but also a true friend, and he knows that there will always be a very warm welcome for him at Portman Road.”