Kieran McKenna is stepping down as Ipswich supervisor to take a break from soccer.
Sky Sports activities Information understands McKenna was excessive on Fulham’s listing of potential candidates to take over on the membership however McKenna won’t be making the transfer to Craven Cottage, nor another membership, as he desires to spend extra time together with his household.
McKenna was beneath contract with Ipswich till 2028, having signed a brand new deal in the summertime of 2024.
Ipswich are protected financially ought to he resolve to take up a brand new function within the subsequent 12 months. They’d be due compensation in keeping with the remaining time left in his contract up till the one-year mark.
The present determine stands at round £7m.
Talking in an announcement confirming his departure after 5 seasons in cost at Portman Highway, McKenna outlined that it was the correct time for him to step apart after securing a 3rd promotion within the final 4 years with the membership.
“It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club,” McKenna mentioned.
“When you have the connection that we have built at this club, there is never a good time to say goodbye.
“Nevertheless, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League final season, with one other memorable remaining day in our stadium, and after reflection during the last couple of weeks, I really feel that is the correct time for me to step apart.
“I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.
“After giving a lot to the function over the earlier 5 seasons, I now stay up for taking a break from administration and dedicating a while to my household, who’ve been with me each step of my profession to this point.”
McKenna joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 while the club was in League One. Back-to-back promotions from the 2022/23 season would then follow as he guided Ipswich from the third tier to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.
Relegation followed in 2024/25 and despite heavy links with a potential exit from Ipswich, McKenna remained at the club and secured promotion back to the top flight for the upcoming season after finishing as runners-up in the Championship.
In total, he took charge of 222 games at the club, winning 105 of those fixtures and watching his team score nearly 400 goals.
McKenna’s Ipswich timeline
December 2021: Appointed as Ipswich supervisor.
April 2023: Wins promotion from League One to Championship.
June 2023: Indicators new four-year Ipswich contract.
Might 2024: Clinches second consecutive promotion to achieve Premier League.
Might 2024: Indicators one other new four-year Ipswich deal regardless of curiosity from Chelsea and Brighton.
April 2025: Relegated again to the Championship.
Might 2026: Wins promotion again to the Premier League at first time of asking.
June 2026: Steps down as Ipswich boss to take break from soccer.
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Ed Sheeran celebrated Ipswich’s Premier League return with a dressing‑room singalong!
‘McKenna leaves with legend standing secured’
Sky Sports activities’ Ali Stafford:
“Kieran McKenna has brought generational joy to Ipswich Town and their fans during his time in Suffolk, with him leaving an early setback in their ambition for Premier League survival.
“McKenna’s back-to-back promotions from League One to a primary Premier League marketing campaign in 22 years exceeded expectations, however the squad rebuild final summer season – that in the end led to a right away return to the top-flight – was arguably simply as spectacular.
“The Northern Irishman can leave Ipswich this summer with his club legend status secured, having won three promotions in four years and delivered levels of success not seen at Portman Road in decades.
“A chance to affix a longtime Premier League membership would absolutely have been a sexy proposition to McKenna and a logical ‘subsequent step’ in his profession, having seen his popularity proceed to develop throughout his time at Ipswich, so the choice to take a break will come as a shock.
“Relegation – however expected – was the only blotch on McKenna’s report card during his time at Ipswich. He leaves behind a squad better equipped to stay in the Premier League than the one he took up two years ago, although a big summer of recruitment for Ipswich now extends beyond just players.”
