Ipswich Town’s manager, Kieran McKenna, has put an end to speculation about his immediate future by signing a new four-year contract.
The announcement was made on Thursday, marking a significant development for the East Anglian club.
McKenna, 38, played a pivotal role in Ipswich’s recent success, leading the team to a second successive promotion last season.
Their return to the Premier League after 22 years caught the attention of football enthusiasts and raised McKenna’s profile.
The Northern Irishman expressed his pride in committing to the club: “We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons, and I’m excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its first Premier League campaign.”
Preparations for the upcoming season have been underway since Ipswich secured promotion in May. McKenna emphasized the hard work required to compete at the highest level, acknowledging the excitement surrounding the club’s return to the Premier League.
His extended deal will keep him at Portman Road until 2028, signaling Ipswich’s confidence in his leadership.
Additionally, the coaching staff—Assistant Manager Martyn Pert, First-Team Coaches Charlie Turnbull and Lee Grant, and Head of Goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin—have also extended their contracts.
Mark Ashton, Ipswich’s Chief Executive, expressed delight at McKenna’s commitment: “Success brings its own challenges, and there has been considerable speculation in recent weeks.
However, Kieran and I have continued to communicate as we plan for the club’s first Premier League season in a generation.”
Ipswich’s remarkable journey—from League One promotion to Championship runners-up—has captivated fans. With only six league defeats and an impressive 96 points, they ended the season as one of the division’s top performers, scoring a league-best 92 goals.
