Kieran McKenna staying on as Ipswich boss

He's led the club back to the Premier League for the first time in more than 20 years

Kieran McKenna
Author: Sian RochePublished 30th May 2024

Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year contract to remain as manager of Ipswich Town

It comes after the 38 year old led the club back to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

He had been linked to vacancies at Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton.

The story so far

When McKenna, who was previously an assistant coach at Manchester United, took over as manager in December 2021, the Blues were mid-table in League One.

They ended that season 11th in the table.

Then during his first full season at the club, the Tractor Boys finished second-place, securing automatic promotion from the third tier.

Now, they've ended this season with promotion to the Premier League, finishing runners-up in the Championship table with 96 points - just one behind winners Leicester City.

Town also lost just six league games across the whole season, the fewest defeats in the division, and scored 92 goals.

Manager of the Year

In recognition of the excellent season, the Northern Irishman was named the League Managers Association Manager of the Year for the 2023/24 season.

Voted for by fellow professional managers, Town’s boss is only the seventh manager since 1993 to pick up the prestigious accolade while working outside of the Premier League.

He is also the first Town manager to win it since George Burley, who guided the Blues to fifth spot in the Premier League, and subsequently qualification for Europe, in 2000/01.

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