Kieran McKenna leaves Ipswich: Manager drops huge bombshell despite guiding club back to the Premier League

Kieran McKenna has announced that he will step down as Ipswich Town manager.

The 40-year-old made the surprise decision to leave Ipswich despite helping them win promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship last month.

Although he has been linked with Fulham in recent days, McKenna insists he is taking a break and not taking another job, while Ipswich are protected by a compensation clause of around £7.5 million.

Chief executive Mark Ashton had made contingency plans for McKenna’s departure as it had been discussed as a possibility.

While he has been considered for several senior positions in recent seasons, Fulham have huge fans but are reluctant to pay such compensation. Fulham has now turned its attention to former Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, whom he met with yesterday.

In an emotional message on the club’s website, McKenna said: ‘It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and satisfaction that I have decided to leave the honor of managing this historic football club.

He oversaw three promotions in five years but left to take a break from the game

‘There can never be a good time to say goodbye when you have the bond we have built at this club. However, last season we achieved promotion to the Premier League for the second time, had another unforgettable final day in our stadium, and after evaluating the last few weeks, I think it is the right time for me to step aside. I do this with great pride in the incredible progress we have made and with great hope and optimism for the future of the club.

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

‘After giving so much to this role over the past five seasons, I am now looking forward to taking a break from management and spending some time with my family, who have been with me every step of my career.’

McKenna previously worked as a coach at Manchester United and as assistant manager under Jose Mourinho and current Red Devils boss Michael Carrick.

He continued his tenure under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick before leaving to take over at Ipswich in his first senior role.

He took over as Ipswich manager in December 2021, while they were in League One. He guided them to promotion in his first season in charge and a year later he finished second in the Championship, taking Ipswich to the top flight for the first time since 2001.

His farewell message continued: ‘There are so many people I would like to thank who have played a part in this journey. ‘Firstly, I would like to thank Mark Ashton and the board for giving me the opportunity to manage such a great football club at the age of 35 and for their unwavering support and trust since then.

‘To my coaching team and all the wonderful staff at our Portman Road and Playford Road training center who work tirelessly to improve the club in every aspect. To all the players who have represented the club with professionalism and passion over the last five years.

McKenna worked on the technical staff of Manchester United before taking over at Ipswich.

‘Most importantly, thank you to the amazing fans and supporters of Ipswich Town. You’ve followed this football club through great ups and downs. I will be forever grateful for the way you welcomed myself and my family into both the football club and the county of Suffolk. I will cherish the memories we shared together for the rest of my life.

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

McKenna’s departure means at least seven of next season’s 20 Premier League teams will start the season with a new manager.

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