Just weeks after leading Ipswich Town back to the Premier League, Kieran McKenna resigned as manager, stunning a club that had built its revival around him. The 40-year-old, who took charge in December 2021 when Ipswich were languishing in League One, guided them to three promotions in four seasons, including back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League in 2023 and 2024. After a difficult Premier League campaign in 2024-25, where they finished 19th with only four wins, McKenna orchestrated an immediate return by finishing second in the Championship, securing promotion on the final day of the 2025-26 season against QPR. Despite this success, McKenna decided to step down, saying he wanted to take a break from management and spend more time with his family. His departure leaves Ipswich, a club with a proud history, searching for a new manager ahead of their Premier League return.
The story of McKenna's tenure is one of remarkable transformation. He arrived from Manchester United, where he had been a first-team coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, to take over a team in the third tier. In his first full season, Ipswich finished second in League One, earning promotion back to the Championship. The following season, they defied expectations by finishing second in the Championship, securing consecutive promotions and a place in the Premier League for the first time in 22 years. McKenna was recognised for this achievement by winning the League Managers Association's manager of the year award in 2024, beating Manchester City's Pep Guardiola and Arsenal's Mikel Arteta. He signed a new four-year contract in 2024, but after relegation and another promotion, he felt the time was right to step aside. He leaves with 105 wins from 222 games in charge, and chairman Mark Ashton said he was "gutted" to lose him.
“Kieran McKenna resigned as Ipswich manager after three promotions; here's the story.”
For UK football fans, McKenna's exit raises questions about the pressures of management and the challenge of building for sustained success. Ipswich are a well-supported club with a passionate fanbase, and their return to the top flight after a brief absence is a significant moment. The club must now find a successor who can build on McKenna's legacy. Early contenders include Gary O'Neil, the former Wolves head coach who is currently at Strasbourg and has admirers at Portman Road, despite having played for local rivals Norwich City. The club's approach will be closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
Q: Why did Kieran McKenna leave Ipswich? McKenna said he felt it was the right time to step aside, citing a desire to take a break from management and spend more time with his family. He is understood not to have another job lined up and wanted to bow out on a high after achieving a second promotion to the Premier League.
Q: What did McKenna achieve at Ipswich? In just over four seasons, McKenna led Ipswich from League One to the Premier League, winning three promotions: one from League One (2023) and two from the Championship (2024 and 2026). He won 105 of his 222 matches and was named LMA Manager of the Year in 2024.
Q: Who could replace McKenna as Ipswich manager? Former Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, currently managing Strasbourg, is considered a contender. The club is open-minded about a successor and has admirers of O'Neil at Portman Road, though he previously played for local rivals Norwich City.
What happens next? Ipswich will begin the search for a new manager ahead of the 2026-27 Premier League season. Gary O'Neil is in the frame, but the club is keeping its options open. McKenna is expected to take a break from football, with no immediate plans to return to management.