Gary O’Neil has been appointed Ipswich Town’s new manager on a three-year contract, returning to the Premier League after leading Strasbourg to the Europa Conference League semi-finals last season.
The 43-year-old replaces Kieran McKenna, who stepped down earlier this month after guiding the Tractor Boys back to the top flight by finishing second in the Championship. McKenna, who led Ipswich to three promotions in four seasons, had been linked with other roles before his departure.
“Ipswich appoint Gary O'Neil on three-year deal after his Strasbourg success, replacing Kieran McKenna.”
O’Neil, who left Wolves in December 2024 and spent 10 months at Bournemouth before that, joined Strasbourg in January and took the French side to eighth in Ligue 1, the Coupe de France semi-finals and the last four of the Conference League, where they lost to Rayo Vallecano. Ipswich paid a fee believed to be worth €5m (£4.3m) including add-ons to release O’Neil from the two years remaining on his Strasbourg contract.
“It is an honour to be appointed manager of this great football club,” O’Neil told the club’s website. “I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely, and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by.”
He will be joined by coaches Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley, who worked with him in France. Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjær had also been in the running for the role.
O’Neil has a longstanding relationship with Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton, who was involved in signing him as a player at Bristol City. O’Neil, who counts Norwich among his former clubs, said: “There is a strong vision and ambition at this club … I am fully aware of the responsibility that brings, given how much it means to its supporters and to the community of Ipswich and Suffolk.”
The new manager acknowledged the challenge ahead but insisted Ipswich are not simply aiming for survival. “This club is not looking to just achieve safety, the aim is to grow and achieve more,” he added. “It has been in Europe before and won in Europe. It is a big, big football club that can do special things.”