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McKenna: Shorter Summer No Problem - Ipswich Town News

Boss Kieran McKenna isn’t concerned by the Blues having a shorter summer break due to the later end to the Premier League season and the Championship’s early start.

Town will end their one-season spell back in the top flight when they host West Ham United at Portman Road on Sunday 25th May with the 2025/26 Championship campaign getting under way over the weekend of Friday 8th-Sunday 10th August.

I don't think so, to be honest,” McKenna said when asked if that presented any problems. "I think, looking at it with pre-season, we’ll have there or thereabouts five weeks off, which I think is plenty. 

"A little bit more challenging for the boys who are going on international duty, so we’ll have to manage that so that they get enough rest.

"But I think Championship to the Premier League is longer than you need and I don’t think a professional footballer needs an eight-week off-season. 

"I think it can be a little bit too long and you end up having to train a lot by yourself and build up, so I think we were a few weeks ahead in terms of knowing where we’re going to be next year. 

"Pre-season planning is well under way, the players will have plenty of time for a physical rest and I know there’ll be great excitement in the building when we all get back together pre-season.”

It’s expected that the Blues will again spend part of their pre-season preparations in Austria.

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