x

McKenna: New Head of Recruitment Williams Will Play Key Role - Ipswich Town News

Town boss Kieran McKenna says incoming head of recruitment Sam Williams is going to play a key role behind the scenes as the club develops.

The Blues announced on Wednesday that Williams would be joining the club on April 11th from his current role as a first-team recruitment analyst and academy scout at Manchester United, having previously worked at Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield Wednesday.

"Sam’s obviously someone I know from Manchester United but not very well, to be honest,” McKenna said.

"I wasn’t deeply involved with the recruitment team and the recruitment side of things at United and with the last couple of years of Covid, the recruitment team has worked from home while the training ground has been pretty much exclusively for the first-team coaching staff and players.

"He’s not someone I’ve had a deep relationship with. [Assistant manager] Martyn Pert was more involved in that side of things at Manchester United and had a good relationship with the recruitment analysts there and thought very highly of and had a good relationship with Sam.

"I know that it’s an area of the club that the club has been looking to develop and wants to develop considerably over the next couple of years and could make a big difference for us.

"So there was a full process run from Mark [Ashton, CEO], Martyn and [director of football operations] Gary Probert especially where they spoke to a lot of different candidates, Sam being one of them, and I think all parties were unanimous that he was the best candidate and fits the profile really well to come here.

"From my point of view, it’s another hungry staff member. A good age to still progress in his career and he wants to develop in his career but has already has had a wide range of experiences at a very young age.

"He has had experience at different levels throughout the game and in conversations with him you can tell how hungry and how proud he is to come to the football club and to make an impact.

"I think he really fits the bill for what we’re developing here behind the scenes and we’re looking forward to having him start in a week or so’s time and I think he’s going to be a key part of the club here behind the scenes as we develop the club going forward.”

Meanwhile, McKenna has defended one of the players he worked with at Old Trafford, Harry Maguire, who was booed ahead of England's 3-0 win against Ivory Coast during the international break.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate labelled the jeers "an absolute joke” and McKenna backed the Red Devils captain.

"I think Harry is a fantastic professional,” McKenna said. "He's been a fantastic player for England, has had two very, very good major tournaments, was in the Team of the Tournament at the Euros last summe, and I think had scored maybe two or three goals for England and a hatful of clean sheets since.

"Harry, for me, is a top professional, a top player, a top person, and is strong enough to deal with criticism. But it doesn't mean that it's right or it doesn't mean that he should always face it in that way.

"He doesn't need my backing or anyone else's backing and I think he knows what he is and who he is, and he's strong enough to come through the tough, tough spells that everybody has in their careers.”

What to read next:

Morsy: The Best Spell of My Career and Life
Departing Town captain Sam Morsy has issued a message to fans, teammates, manager Kieran McKenna and his staff following confirmation of his move to Kuwait SC, while the squad and ex-players have paid their own tributes to the Egyptian international.
Town Confirm Morsy Exit For Kuwait SC
Town skipper Sam Morsy’s move to Kuwait SC has been confirmed.
Town Announce Matchday Ticket Prices
Town have confirmed their matchday ticket prices for the Championship season ahead.
Luongo Close to Joining Millwall
Former Blues midfielder Massimo Luongo is closing in on joining Millwall following his trial with the Lions.
Eze Nets Twice as U19s Draw Opener at Czech Tournament
Striker Nelson Eze scored twice as an U19 Town side drew 2-2 with hosts Banik Ostrava in their opening match at the Zlaty Kahan tournament in Czechia yesterday.
Young: Working With McKenna Again Was a Massive Pull
New Blues signing Ashley Young says manager Kieran McKenna played a big part in his decision to join Town having left Everton at the end of last season.
Town Confirm Young Signing
Town have confirmed the signing of veteran former England international Ashley Young on a one-year deal.
[Podcast] Blue Monday - New Podcast Now Online
A new podcast from the Blue Monday team is now available.
Released Forward Roberts Joins Stevenage
Released Blues U21s forward Matty Roberts has joined League One Stevenage following a trial.
Young Close to Completing Town Move
Veteran former England international Ashley Young is close to completing a move to the Blues on a one-year deal.