News Focus
- McKenna ends five-year spell at Portman Road with immediate effect
- Northern Irish coach rules out taking the vacant Fulham manager’s post
- Ipswich entitled to £7m compensation if he returns to management within 12 months
- Club secured three promotions in four seasons under his guidance
- Tractor Boys set for Premier League football after Championship runners-up finish
Kieran McKenna has announced he will step down as manager of Ipswich Town. The 40-year-old wants to take a break from football to spend time with his family.
McKenna joined the club in December 2021. At that time, Ipswich played in League One. He led the team to three promotions in four years. This includes back-to-back rises that brought Premier League football back to Portman Road after more than two decades.
The Northern Irish coach signed a new contract in 2024. This deal ran until 2028. However, he has decided to leave now despite leading the club back to the top flight. Ipswich finished as runners-up in the Championship last season.
Recent reports had linked McKenna with the manager’s job at Fulham. Marco Silva recently left that post. But McKenna has confirmed he will not move to Craven Cottage or any other club at this time.
Ipswich will receive money if McKenna returns to management within the next year. The club can claim around £7 million in compensation. This figure matches the value of his contract remaining up to the 12-month mark.
During his time in charge, McKenna managed 222 matches. His team won 105 of these games and scored nearly 400 goals. He leaves as a club legend.
In a statement, McKenna said he feels sad but content. He explained that there is never a good time to leave when you have built strong bonds. But he believes this is the right moment after achieving promotion last season.
He thanked the club for the honour of managing such a historic team. He also expressed pride in the progress made during his five seasons at the club.