Managed to curtail row (3)
I believe the answer is:
ran
'managed' is the definition.
(both can mean organised or was in charge of)
'curtail row' is the wordplay.
'curtail' means to remove the last letter (I've seen 'curtailed' mean this).
'row' becomes 'rank' (as in a taxi rank).
'rank' with its final letter removed is 'RAN'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for ran that I've seen before include "Stood for election or managed" , "Organised" , "Operated; hurried" , "Managed; raced" , "travelled fast" .)