Birmingham City W · UEFA Championship - Women - Qualification · Defender · #2 · Northern Ireland · 24 yrs
Ipswich Town fan and author Karl Fuller spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley on The Blue Hour about the club's managerial search after Kieran McKenna's unexpected departure earlier this month. It has emerged former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, who is now in charge of Strasbourg, are leading contenders for the Portman Road job.
Manager caught lightning in a bottle with three promotions in four seasons but his need for a break to prioritise a young family is refreshing When the tears have dried, the adage will ring true for Ipswich and Kieran McKenna. They will smile because it happened and reflect that, despite the hurt, sometimes it is best to part while the love still burns.Perhaps they will also marvel at the unlikely magic football occasionally sprinkles. It is an industry in which people and places are thrown together, coming and going, sticking or not. When McKenna arrived in Suffolk four and a half years ago he could have been another hired gun; instead he transformed a community’s relationship with its club and left a legacy that should span generations. Continue reading...
Former Ipswich midfielder Massimo Luongo believes Kieran McKenna has left "a massive legacy" at the club and town because of all he achieved in his near five-year stay. Luongo has known McKenna since he was in the youth set-up at Tottenham and then played under him at Ipswich Town during one of the most successful periods in the club's history. "First and foremost, he was obsessed with football," Luongo recalls of his time working with McKenna.
Former Ipswich Town striker Alex Mathie told BBC Radio Suffolk he is "a bit surprised" by Kieran McKenna's resignation and reasoning. Ex-midfielder Alan Judge is not surprised though by McKenna's decision to have a break from football management. "Funnily enough, I came across Kieran a few weeks ago in town and I spoke to him a little and he just said how much the season had taken out of him," Judge said speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk.
Kieran McKenna's time in charge of Ipswich Town has been nothing short of incredible. Just four full seasons in charge have brought with them three promotions and a first taste of Premier League football at Portman Road in more than 20 years. What's more, the football seen during those first two promotion-winning campaigns was the best at Ipswich Town in a generation, with a group of players who thrived under the Northern Irishman's lead.
Departing Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna says managing the club has been "an absolute privilege" as he prepares to take a step back from management after nearly five year with the Tractor Boys. The former Manchester United and Tottenham youth coach stated he is taking this break to spend some time with his family after a whirlwind four-and-a-half seasons with the team, gaining back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League in 2024.
Kieran McKenna has announced he will be stepping down as Ipswich Town boss this summer after five hugely successful seasons with the club. The 40-year-old joined the club when they were down in League One but achieved back-to-back promotions to take the Tractor Boys up to the Premier League in 2024.
Manager keen to spend more time with familyIpswich chair Mark Ashton ‘gutted’ by decisionKieran McKenna has stepped down as Ipswich’s manager after four and a half years in charge of the Suffolk club, who will return to the Premier League next season.The 40-year-old will take a break from management and is understood not to have a position lined up. McKenna had been linked with the vacant job at Fulham, who held an interest in him, but his departure is linked with a desire to recharge and spend more time with his family. Continue reading...
