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Ipswich Town Manager Kieran McKenna Steps Down After Three Promotions
When the final whistle blew on a 2‑0 triumph over Huddersfield, the roar of Ipswich fans was eclipsed by the news that their charismatic leader would be leaving.
Kieran McKenna, 40, has announced he will depart Ipswich Town at the end of the 2025‑26 season. The five‑year tenure that began in December 2021 saw the Tractor Boys climb from League One to the Premier League, a journey punctuated by a 12th‑place finish in the Championship and a historic promotion after a 22‑year absence.
"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," McKenna said in a statement released by the club. "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."
The announcement follows weeks of speculation that McKenna might take the vacant Fulham job. The club’s board confirmed that the manager would leave the club this summer but did not comment on any potential new appointments.
McKenna’s résumé includes coaching stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. He began as a youth coach at Tottenham, moved to United as a first‑team coach under Michael Carrick and later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before being appointed Ipswich manager.
Chairman Mark Ashton welcomed both the promotion and McKenna’s departure. "Promotion is a moment for the entire community, and we look forward to celebrating together on the parade and at Christchurch Park," Ashton said.
The club’s return to the Premier League was celebrated with a parade through the town centre on Portman Road, followed by a gathering in Christchurch Park. Fans lined the streets in support of the team’s historic achievement.
McKenna’s tenure at Ipswich was marked by three promotions in four seasons: from League One to the Championship in 2022, a second promotion to the Premier League in 2024, and a solid 12th‑place finish in the Championship during 2023‑24.
The manager’s decision to step away is described by the club as a personal choice to focus on family after a demanding five‑year period. No immediate replacement has been named, and the board said it will begin a search for a new manager in the summer.
Founded in 1878 and based at Portman Road, Ipswich Town has a long history in English football, including a league title in 1961‑62 and an FA Cup win in 1978. The club’s return to the Premier League after more than two decades is expected to bring new challenges and opportunities for the squad.
The 2025‑26 Premier League season will see Ipswich compete against the league’s top teams, with the club’s performance in the coming months determining whether they can establish themselves in the top tier.
McKenna’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Ipswich Town. The club’s leadership will now focus on securing a successor who can build on the foundations laid during his tenure and guide the club through the next phase of its history.
The club’s next steps include finalising a new managerial appointment, assessing the squad for the upcoming season, and maintaining the momentum generated by the recent promotion.
As Ipswich prepares for the challenges of Premier League football, the club’s supporters and the wider football community will be watching closely to see how the team adapts to the demands of the top flight.
Kieran McKenna, 40, has announced he will depart Ipswich Town at the end of the 2025‑26 season. The five‑year tenure that began in December 2021 saw the Tractor Boys climb from League One to the Premier League, a journey punctuated by a 12th‑place finish in the Championship and a historic promotion after a 22‑year absence.
"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," McKenna said in a statement released by the club. "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."
The announcement follows weeks of speculation that McKenna might take the vacant Fulham job. The club’s board confirmed that the manager would leave the club this summer but did not comment on any potential new appointments.
McKenna’s résumé includes coaching stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. He began as a youth coach at Tottenham, moved to United as a first‑team coach under Michael Carrick and later Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before being appointed Ipswich manager.
Chairman Mark Ashton welcomed both the promotion and McKenna’s departure. "Promotion is a moment for the entire community, and we look forward to celebrating together on the parade and at Christchurch Park," Ashton said.
The club’s return to the Premier League was celebrated with a parade through the town centre on Portman Road, followed by a gathering in Christchurch Park. Fans lined the streets in support of the team’s historic achievement.
McKenna’s tenure at Ipswich was marked by three promotions in four seasons: from League One to the Championship in 2022, a second promotion to the Premier League in 2024, and a solid 12th‑place finish in the Championship during 2023‑24.
The manager’s decision to step away is described by the club as a personal choice to focus on family after a demanding five‑year period. No immediate replacement has been named, and the board said it will begin a search for a new manager in the summer.
Founded in 1878 and based at Portman Road, Ipswich Town has a long history in English football, including a league title in 1961‑62 and an FA Cup win in 1978. The club’s return to the Premier League after more than two decades is expected to bring new challenges and opportunities for the squad.
The 2025‑26 Premier League season will see Ipswich compete against the league’s top teams, with the club’s performance in the coming months determining whether they can establish themselves in the top tier.
McKenna’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Ipswich Town. The club’s leadership will now focus on securing a successor who can build on the foundations laid during his tenure and guide the club through the next phase of its history.
The club’s next steps include finalising a new managerial appointment, assessing the squad for the upcoming season, and maintaining the momentum generated by the recent promotion.
As Ipswich prepares for the challenges of Premier League football, the club’s supporters and the wider football community will be watching closely to see how the team adapts to the demands of the top flight.
