Gary O'Neil is on the verge of becoming Ipswich Town's new head coach, returning to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Wolves in December 2024. The 43-year-old is poised to replace Kieran McKenna, who stepped down from the Portman Road post earlier this month.
Compensation with O'Neil's current club Strasbourg is still to be agreed, but BBC Sport understands it is not expected to be an obstacle for the Tractor Boys. Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley are also expected to move to Suffolk with O'Neil, having worked with him in France. Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had also been in the running for the job this week.
“Ipswich are close to appointing Gary O'Neil as head coach after Kieran McKenna stepped down.”
O'Neil's Strasbourg side finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, losing to Rayo Vallacano. It was the first time the French club had reached the last four of a European competition. He played at Bristol City when current Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton held the same role at Ashton Gate.
Ipswich are searching for a new head coach after McKenna stepped down last week, despite leading them back to the top flight by finishing second in the Championship last season. The 40-year-old took charge in 2021 and led them to three promotions in four seasons, two of which took the club into the Premier League. McKenna was linked with the Fulham job after Marco Silva's departure, but quit Town to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family.
"I feel this is the right time for me to step aside," McKenna said. "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."
Ipswich open their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on 22 August.