Ipswich Town

Richard Woodward
Fan writer

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It's 36 hours on and Ipswich Town supporters are still getting their heads round the idea that inspirational coach Kieran McKenna won't be in the home dugout next season.

Of minimum consolation is that the hugely popular McKenna won't take a position in the Portman Road away dugout either - at least for now...

The previous instance of an Ipswich managerial departure not being a sacking or "mutual consent" agreement was Sir Bobby Robson taking the England job in 1982. So millennial or Gen Z Town fans simply don't have a point of reference to process their current emotions.

Whether McKenna's departure before this particular Premier League campaign represents an existential crisis for the club will only be known only this time next year.

He was linked with an exit last time Town secured promotion to the Premier League. Leaving at that point (despite Ipswich going on to be relegated) would certainly have been catastrophic given how pivotal McKenna was to everything at Portman Road at the time.

And while his influence persists, the timing of his departure, with nearly two months until the big kick-off, does allow the club to reflect on approach.

McKenna himself saw the need to adapt his style of play to be less 'swashbuckling' last season after a few hammerings in the previous relegation campaign.

Might it be that the club's ambitious ownership - which has built up the infrastructure around the first-team manager to smooth handover transitions such as this - decides that survival at all costs is the modus operandi? Is now, therefore, a convenient time to bring in a specialist for such an objective?

Either way, Mark Ashton and the Ipswich Town board have to implement a succession plan for the first time in five years. It won't be easy.

Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast, external

For more reaction to McKenna's exit, listen to the clip below of Craig Finbow from the Blue Monday podcast speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk or find it on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your views on who should succeed Kieran McKenna as Ipswich Town boss.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I honestly don't know who I want as next Town boss. Huge shoes to fill and the names out there don't fill me with confidence. Hopefully, the club go under the radar again like they did when they appointed McKenna.

Tom: The focus needs to be on someone with Premier League experience who can slot in with minimal disruption. Currently, I can only think of one name: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. If not, then perhaps another gamble with someone unknown. Could be risky though.

Adrian: We need a manager who can continue taking us forward. I've not got anything against Gary O'Neil, but he's not for me. Liam Rosenior might be a good fit, or Thomas Frank.

Ollie: O'Neil would be a step backwards. If Ipswich are serious in wanting to establish themselves in the Premier League then they need someone better than McKenna.

Alex: Ambitious, particularly given his recent comments, but I'd love to see us go all out for Frank. We have great ownership, a new, state-of-the-art training ground and a track record of giving manager's time and influence, which would be a stable club to return to.

Tom: I would be happy with either O'Neil or Solskjaer. Both know what it takes in the Premier League and fit the mould of McKenna - being young, ambitious and a decent human being. Ole is known to be a good friend of McKenna's, which gives me a sneaky suspicion about him...

Adam: Rosenior was always top of my list. However, I would love Frank or Steven Gerrard to throw their hats into the ring.

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Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton says the club "need to move swiftly" to appoint a new manager after Kieran McKenna's resignation on Wednesday.

Addressing the Town fans on club media, external, Ashton said: "On the one hand, you have to deal with the emotion and distress of a friend and colleague - a very successful one - leaving the football club. But on the right hand, we have to move forward and we have to move forward at pace.

"And let's be really clear, that will happen at pace. We have a season to prepare for. We need to appoint a new manager and we will need to move into the football player market with players coming in and players going out.

"We need to move swiftly. It will be imminent, but thorough.

"The process will probably be very similar to the process that we ran when we recruited and appointed Kieran. It will be very detailed and thorough.

"We do need to move swiftly, and fans need to be assured we are on top of this and we will make the right decision for this football club as soon as we can."

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk reporter

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Given he recently distanced himself from a managerial role until the new season gets under way, I was surprised to see Thomas Frank installed as one of the early favourites for the vacant job at Ipswich.

However, should he change his mind, he would be a very popular choice. Prior to his difficult spell at Tottenham, the Dane did wonders at Brentford, and he knows how to get out of the Championship and STAY in the Premier League, which is something Kieran McKenna hasn't achieved yet in his career.

Liam Rosenior was always going to be linked and I think he would be a sound appointment as well, despite it not working out for him at Chelsea. Rosenior's played for Ipswich Town - albeit a brief spell - and did very well at Hull City in the Championship not so long ago.

Surely a prerequisite for Town this time around is to bring in someone with experience of winning matches on a regular basis in one of the big European leagues, and ideally the Premier League.

I've no doubt a number of managers fitting that description will have been shortlisted by the club, and many others currently out of work and eyeing up their next challenge would see Portman Road as an attractive destination.

This is not the troubled Ipswich Town that McKenna joined towards the end of 2021, or the shambles of a club toiling in League One under the previous ownership.

This is an ambitious, forward-thinking business that wants to remain at English football's top table for many years to come.

Hear more from Graeme reflecting on McKenna's departure on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play below

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As the dust settles after Wednesday evening's announcement that Kieran McKenna is stepping down, attention will now turn to who might replace the 40-year-old as Ipswich Town boss.

BBC Sport football news reporter Nick Mashiter says former Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil - currently in charge at Strasbourg in Ligue 1 after being appointed in January - is one manager in the frame to replace McKenna as he has admirers at Portman Road.

But while O'Neil is a contender, the club are open-minded about a successor.

How do you feel about O'Neil being in the frame to fill the vacancy? Or is there someone else you would prefer to see in the dugout next season?

Let us know who you would like to succeed McKenna here

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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.

He saw the news of McKenna's departure on social media, and then his phone group chats were "popping off," he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"First and foremost, he was obsessed with football," Luongo recalls of his time working with McKenna.

"He was the first one in the training ground, he was the last one to leave... he is very obsessed with football, but as a person, he is a great guy.

"His morals are top. He demands a good dressing room, he demands hard work and everything he applies to himself in football, he demands from the rest of the players.

"You can see that, and if you've got a leader that sets the example by doing it, then it's so easy to follow.

"He had such an impact on me and the group I came through with, and he'll have an impact on everyone in Ipswich and the town, so he's left a massive legacy there."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds here or by pressing play below

Luongo believes whoever takes over from McKenna next at Ipswich Town has big shoes to fill.

"I think when you leave such a legacy and not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, he knew everyone's names, all the staff down to the chefs and cleaners, so for someone to come in will have to fit the culture of the club, which was set by him," Luongo explains.

"Not just in the dressing room, the whole club.

"The whole of the infrastructure, everything, was set by Kieran McKenna.

"He laid that foundation... I'm sure Mark Ashton [the chairman] will be thinking the same thing.

"Massive, massive shoes to fill, but that's football, and everyone is different, every coach is different, and they might bring in something new or they might not, so we'll see."

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Former Ipswich Town striker Alex Mathie told BBC Radio Suffolk he is "a bit surprised" by Kieran McKenna's resignation and reasoning.

"I must admit, I did say at the end of last season he may go to a bigger club. I am a bit surprised at the step down - I thought when he was at his peak he would keep going," he said.

"You don't know what toll the past five years have taken on him. I don't think he took the decision lightly. He has a young family.

"I'm sure he will be back within the next year or so. He will want to keep improving."

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.

"Maybe he's looking at other managers that have coached for eight, nine, 10 years in a row and [thought] 'if I have a break now, that will give me a bit more longevity coaching-wise'. We know Kieran was 24/7, wasn't he?"

Judge, who played 91 times for the Blues between 2019 and 2021, added McKenna "elevated the club from the lowest to the best".

"I was there before he came in. We could all probably say Paul Cook made a little bit of a mess of what was going on and the turnover, and Kieran came in and he turned it right around.

"Not only are people saying he's a good coach but his man-management is top notch. He has done so much for the club."

Listen back to the Blue Hour Special on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views following Kieran McKenna's announcement he was stepping down as Ipswich Town boss after a hugely successful spell with the club.

Here are some of your comments:

Nick: A little bit sad reading the announcement, but he's given us the best five years in a long, long time. Wishing McKenna nothing but the best for his next chapter. Anxious for who we'll be able to get in next.

Matt: Kieran dragged us from the depths of League One to the Premier League. He helped to rebuild this club and return us to the top table. He goes with our thanks and appreciation, but also with sadness that the bond he has built with the supporters will not see us fight together to survive next year. Thank you for the memories, Kieran.

Danny: A sad day filled with many happy memories. The journey we've been on has exceeded our wildest dreams. Just a huge thank you for restoring our club and giving everyone a sense of pride that we've been trying to find for so long. Can't imagine a world without him in the dugout! To address the elephant in the room, then... who's coming in?!

Reuben: What an incredible journey we have had with McKenna. A true Town legend. Three promotions. Thanks, Kieran.

Alex: Probably the best four or five years of supporting Ipswich in the entirety of my 26-year-old life. Great bloke and a fantastic manager with a win rate right up there with Robson and Ramsey. Will not be forgotten in a hurry, especially the back-to-back promotion seasons.

Bernard: The man has done a brilliant job and has left on his own terms. Clearly destined for big things, he goes with my thanks and best wishes for the future.

John: He has given me the best memories of supporting Ipswich Town. More than that though, he always conducted himself as a true champion of the club and someone to be proud of. Gutted.

Julian: Can't say I'm surprised but I'm definitely shocked at the timing. The benefit of gaining automatic promotion and giving ourselves that extra time to prepare for another monumental challenge in the Premier League has just evaporated. Huge respect for Kieran and what he achieved for the football club and the community, that can never be taken away from him.

Jesper: Thank you, Kieran, for dragging the Blues out of the mud we were stuck in for more than 20 years. You are leaving the club in a good position - hopefully the club will find a suitable successor to continue the job and re-establish the Blues as a recognised Premier League club.

Ben: I'm absolutely gutted McKenna's gone, but he's done incredible things at Town and I'll always be grateful for that. Following Ipswich wasn't fun for my first 20 years, but he made it enjoyable. Best of luck to him, wherever he ends up.

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk reporter

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Relegation from the top flight just over a year ago, coupled with a slow start to Town's most recent campaign in the second tier, meant McKenna had not been without his critics leading up to the New Year. However, two morale boosting wins over runaway Championship leaders Coventry City, and the club's first East Anglian derby victories in more than a decade helped a new look Ipswich team book their seat at English football's top table once again.

Town's travelling support have enjoyed some of the most memorable away days, while Portman Road has come back to life, but as McKenna alluded to on the final day of the season and in his latest statement, it has come at a cost to him. He is exhausted and he needs a break.

Ipswich fans will wish him well in their tens of thousands. This departure is a sad moment for them, but McKenna leaves their club in a far better place, and he leaves it a very attractive proposition for his successor.

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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.

Speaking to the club's website, McKenna said: "It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club.

"When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye. However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. 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.

"To manage this club has been an absolute privilege. Over the last five seasons we have been on an incredible journey that has brought so many of the best experiences in my professional and personal life.

"After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.

"There are so many people I would like to thank who have played their part in this journey. Firstly, to Mark Ashton and the Board for giving me the opportunity, at 35 years old, to manage such a massive football club, and for the unwavering support and trust they have shown ever since.

"To my coaching staff and all the wonderful staff at Portman Road and our Playford Road training centre, who work tirelessly to progress the club in every way. To all of the players who have represented the club with professionalism and passion over the past five years.

"Most importantly, thank you to the amazing fans and supporters of Ipswich Town. You have followed this football club through wonderful highs and difficult lows. I will be forever grateful for the way that you welcomed myself and my family, both to the football club and to the county of Suffolk. I will cherish the memories that we have shared together for the rest of my life.

"Ipswich Town will always have a special place in our hearts."

Get in touch with your thoughts on McKenna's departure here

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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. Then, after relegation in their first season in the top flight, they bounced back up this past campaign.

On the news, Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton said: "The job Kieran has done at this football club over the last five years is simply incredible.

"When I first spoke to Kieran prior to appointing him, I knew we would be getting an extremely bright, hugely driven coach who craved the opportunity to make his own mark on a football club as a manager. To say he has done that is an understatement.

"Achieving three promotions in four seasons, in what is your first role as a manager, is an achievement which means Kieran is now rightly discussed in the same breath as the legends of this club. The mark he, his staff and his players have made on Ipswich Town and its community will live forever. It has captured a generation.

"It's been a true honour to stand side-by-side with Kieran over these five years and watch him grow and achieve so much. I know just how much of himself he has given to his job and he should be incredibly proud of all he has achieved. I know I am.

"Like so many, I am of course gutted that our journey together has come to an end, but I understand and respect the decision he has made after five incredibly intense years.

"Kieran will be greatly missed but he and his family leave us with our immense gratitude for all he has done. He will always be welcome at Portman Road.

"Thank you for everything, Kieran. It's been an absolute pleasure."

How do you feel about the news McKenna will be stepping down? Surprised or expected? And what have been your favourite memories of his time at Portman Road?

Get in touch with your thoughts here

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Former Ipswich Town owner David Sheepshanks has been in conversation with BBC Radio Suffolk.

As he prepares to release a new book, Sheepshanks reflected his sale of the club to Marcus Evans in 2007.

Speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley, Sheepshanks said: "I wasn't involved during the later years of Marcus. I was still a fan. Looking on it was simply awful for all fans, painful to watch.

"But at the beginning when we found him, he came in, I first met him, we interviewed him, the board interviewed him, he made all the right noises and did the right things. He invested, heavily. He made a lot of money available, initially to Jim, then Roy Keane, then Paul Jewell.

"But after a while he stopped. Mick McCarthy really gets lot of stick from fans and I think unfairly as he did an amazing job for the club on a shoestring. The way he kept us in the thick of things, when Marcus wasn't giving the club any money, Mick was deflecting all the flak and still kept a competitive team.

"Marcus did well by the club when he came in. His intentions were good but after a few years when it doesn't go so good, I don't think he would mind me saying he might of got some slightly more experienced people around him.

"I left in 2011 completely but effectively in 2009. There wasn't a lot of expertise around him. Whoever was in his ear, some of the decisions that got made were maybe things he will reflect on. But he tried. I give him credit for coming in, trying to do the right thing and putting a lot of money in."

Listen to The Blue Hour below or on BBC Sounds

Fulham are weighing up whether to trigger the £8m release clause of Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna, who leads their list of candidates to replace Marco Silva. (Talksport, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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We asked for your views on which players Hull should keep, loan, and sell this summer.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: One player who has been on the fringes who should be kept and why? Not so much the fringes, but returning from injury and not featured as much. Wes Burns - he's such a trier and has electric pace. Able to get a cross in front some difficult angles - we love him. One player who should be loaned out - Sindre Walle Egeli. He hasn't really set the world alight and looks low on confidence at times. Maybe a loan back to the Championship will do him some good. One player who should be sold - without a doubt, I would be selling Chuba Akpom. He hasn't looked anywhere good enough, and I think this will be magnified in the Prem.

Tom: For me Ipswich should keep Wes Burns, he's not had a huge involvement this season mostly due to injury, but he showed he was good enough last time we were in the prem, he's been nothing but class for Ipswich and he deserves his chance again in the top flight. Sindre Walle Egeli needs to be loaned out, after paying a Championship record fee for him as a 19-year-old last season, he has not delivered. There is clear potential however he would massively benefit from a loan spell. It's obvious, but George Hurst should be sold in my opinion. As much as he's been fantastic for the club, sadly I think his best days are behind him and we need to be looking for a couple of new strikers in the summer window.

Niall: Keep Dara O Shea, he's blossoming in town colours. Loan out Ivan Azon as experience elsewhere may benefit him. Sell Sammie Szmodics because just hasn't worked past season. Buy a striker please. We badly need a scorer for the Premier League.

Thomas: Keep Wes Burns. Sell Ivan Akpom.

James: I would like to see Chiedozie Ogbene kept and given a chance to prove his fitness and his quality. Chuba Akpom, on the other hand, should be allowed out on loan after a thoroughly uninspiring season. And Sammie Szmodics has played his last game for the club - we should look to recoup some of the transfer fee we spent on him and reinvest in that part of the pitch.

Peter: Ben Johnson has been Mr Versatile & has Premier League experience, not let us down at all & a very good athlete. Elkan Baggott should be loaned out as needs regular matches but has huge potential. Sammie Szmodics to be sold.

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

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Fulham remain in the hunt for Marco Silva's long-term replacement amid suggestions that Kieran McKenna is the frontrunner.

However, it is understood that any deal to appoint the Ipswich Town manager is complicated by a number of significant costs.

The first is a compensation fee, thought to be around £8m, payable to Ipswich, which would be likely to reduce Fulham's transfer budget for next season.

There are also his wage demands, which are among the highest in the Premier League, as well as the added expense of bringing in his backroom staff.

A number of BBC Sport sources believe Fulham have shown interest without making formal contact with the Suffolk club, but there are questions over whether the overall cost will prove prohibitive.

At Ipswich, there is a mixture of optimism that he will stay, but also uncertainty over the possibility that he could effectively leave if the right figures are hit.

It was a similar situation when Bournemouth opted for former Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose over McKenna after Andoni Iraola announced he would leave the south coast at the end of the season.

Sources at Fulham have been approached for further clarity but have so far been cautious about outlining their managerial search.

The situation follows Silva's decision to join Portuguese side Benfica at the end of his contract at Craven Cottage, having turned down a competitive offer to remain in the role.

Meanwhile, BBC Sport has previously reported that Fulham hold some interest in Coventry City boss Frank Lampard.

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The future of Kieran McKenna was a talking point on the latest episode of The Blue Hour, a show on all things Ipswich Town from BBC Radio Suffolk.

Fans were in touch with the show over reports and rumours manager Kieran McKenna could move to Fulham., external

Michael wrote: It's not all about money, Kieran is a nice bloke and Town will have him for a few more years. His roots are established and it would be a shame to see him go. There's no chance. And he has a good chance of keeping Town in the league.

Dave offered: Why would he go to Fulham? A sideways move at best. I'd understand if it was Spurs or Manchester United. Fulham are a mid-table team. With the ambition of our owners, I can see us staying in the league for a few more years and building on that for future European challenges - just look at Sunderland. He is loved here at the club and it can only get better. At Fulham he'd have to start again and build up any momentum.

Listen to The Blue Room on BBC Sounds here

You can listen to a full show from Brenner Woolley at BBC Radio Suffolk in an episode of The Blue Hour.

There's discussion on the possibility of signing Newcastle United keeper Nick Pope, debate on Kieran McKenna's links to Fulham and an interview with David Sheepshanks.

Listen on BBC Sounds here or hit play below

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The countdown to the World Cup is well and truly on, so here's a reminder of the Tractor Boys selected to represent their countries from 11 June to 19 July.

The expanded 48-team competition is set to be the biggest in history, with the United States, Canada and Mexico hosting.

Ipswich Town's World Cup contingent:

• Ali Al-Hamadi (Iraq)

• George Hirst (Scotland)

Take a dive into each of the 48 squads here

Read more about the World Cup squads in numbers

Find out more about how to follow the competition on the BBC

Click here to download your World Cup 2026 wallchart

Change is inevitable at football clubs during the summer months and we want to ask you something specific about Ipswich's squad as they prepare to return to the Premier League.

Tell us:

• One player who has been on the fringes who should be kept and why?

• One player who should be loaned out

• One player who should be sold

We would love names and reasons for all three - get in touch with your views using this form.