After being heavily linked with Celtic, Kieran McKenna has announced that he is to step down as Ipswich Town manager.
The news has come as a shock to many, with McKenna having just achieved promotion back to the Premier League.
He had also been linked with replacing Marco Silva at Fulham in recent weeks, but is not to take another job this summer.
Instead, he has made the commendable decision to spend more time with his family.
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Kieran McKenna leaves Ipswich: ‘I look forward to taking a break’
McKenna said in a statement: “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.
“When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye.
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“However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside.
“I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.
“To manage this club has been an absolute privilege. Over the last five seasons we have been on an incredible journey that has brought so many of the best experiences in my professional and personal life.
“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.
“There are so many people I would like to thank who have played their part in this journey.”
67 Hail Hail reported that McKenna was a serious contender for the role prior to the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
He even joked about “Scottish representatives” turning up to his press conferences amid the speculation.
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Who is Kieran McKenna?
Born in London and raised in Fermanagh, McKenna made an early transition into coaching after his development as a youth player was halted by a serious injury.
He divided time between University studies and youth coaching, where he spent time in Vancouver and the West Midlands before returning to Tottenham, where he had played in the academy.
After being named Under-18s manager of Manchester United, he was promoted to first-team duties where he worked as assistant to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
He replaced ex-Celtic captain Paul Lambert at Ipswich in 2021, and no-one could’ve seen his seismic impact coming.
Not only did they go straight from League One to the Premier League, but they recorded one of the best points totals by a second-placed team in Championship history in doing so.
He has been linked with various clubs since then, but remained loyal to Ipswich, achieving another promotion this season.
He will undoubtedly go down as a legend at Portman Road, and will be able to be very picky when choosing his next club, should he fancy a managerial return.
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