IPSWICH TOWN SIGN MANAGER KIERAN MCKENNA TO NEW FOUR-YEAR CONTRACT
Newly promoted Ipswich Town have signed manager Kieran McKenna to a new contract extension, the club announced on Thursday.
The Suffolk-based club rewarded the 38-year-old manager following a stellar season in which McKenna guided Ipswich Town to a second-place finish in the Championship and automatic promotion to the Premier League. Ipswich signed McKenna to a new four-year deal that will keep him with the club through June 2028.
The former interim Manchester United assistant manager had only one year left on his contract heading into the 2024/25 season and will now earn a new improved salary going into the clubâs first season in the English top flight.
A statement released by the club read: âIpswich Town is delighted to announce that manager Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year contract with the club. The Blues boss, who has led Town to back-to-back promotions, taking the club to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, has penned an improved and extended deal until the summer of 2028.â
The club confirmed that Assistant Manager Martyn Pert, First-Team Coaches Charlie Turnbull and Lee Grant, and Head of Goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin have also extended their contracts.
Speaking to the clubâs media, McKenna said the decision to stay at the club and lead the team into the Premier League was not something he wanted to miss out on.
âNow itâs the next step on the journey,â said McKenna. âWeâve had a wonderful two and a half years at the club, made some incredible strides. I know weâve all said, maybe faster than we thought we could but now itâs to [the] next step.â
âStepping back into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years for the club, thatâs a wonderful thing to be part of. Weâve got such an exciting year ahead, of course with challenges, but predominantly I think itâs an exciting year. Itâs going to be the first time for so many fans, generations of fans have never seen the team play in the Premier League…â
âItâs just fantastic to be part of that. Itâs great to sign the new contract, feel that commitment from the club and [Iâm] really excited to be the manager that leads this club into the Premier League… Ultimately, for me, it was the responsibility, the honor to lead this club out on the first day in the Premier League, for the first time in over 20 years. That was something I didnât want to miss out on.â
Ipswich Town CEO Mark Ashton said: âWe are delighted Kieran has further committed his future to the club. Success brings its own challenges and there has been considerate speculation in recent weeks, but Kieran and I have communicated throughout, often several times a day, as we plan for the clubâs first Premier League season in a generation.â
âFor Kieran to have signed a new contract is a significant boost, heading into such an important campaign, as we continue the hard work in preparation for the coming season.â
One of the most highly sought after young managers in Europe this summer, McKenna is now officially off the market. The Irish manager was linked to several clubs thought to be in the market for a new head coach including Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton but will now be staying on with Ipswich.
McKenna said he was aware of the speculation surrounding his future but instead chose to commit to the Tractor Boys. âYeah, Iâm aware of it [interest from other teams],â said McKenna. âI think itâs part and parcel of success as a football club, really, [that] staff members and players will have interests. Of course thereâs been interest from other clubs.â
âItâs a short career as a manager and itâs right to consider these things but Iâm so, so happy with the decision I made. Iâm so, so happy to commit my future to this club and Iâm really looking forward to next season. I canât wait for it to get started.â
   Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton nonchalantly went on to add that McKenna is the best signing the club has made this summer.
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
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