New Town manager Kieran McKenna believes now is the right time for him to make the step up to managing a club and feels he and the Blues are a “really good match”.

McKenna spoke to the media for the first time over Zoom this afternoon having been appointed on Thursday evening and after watching his new players in action for the first time as they drew 1-1 with Sunderland on Saturday.

Asked why he swapped a coaching role at Manchester United for the job at Town, he said: “It was a decision to be made. I have a big affinity for Man United and I think it’s published that I was a fan of the club as a boy.

“It was a fantastic club to work at, I had really good relationships with staff, players and owners and all the managers I worked under.

“So it’s a club with a deep affinity for me and I was happy there and could see a future there, but I think at the time it’s an ambition I’ve had right from the start of my coaching career, to go into management.

“I’ve worked really, really hard to get this opportunity, I’ve developed myself as a coach very well over the last 12 to 13 years. I’ve put a lot into being the best coach I could be, but the ambition all along was to make this step and to eventually take the chance to lead a team in its own right, to lead a football club, and I knew that day would come.

“When the initial contact came from Ipswich Town, I knew the background of the club, I knew it was obviously a club with fantastic traditions and history, I also knew the current situation with the ownership and the investment that has been put into the club, and they are looking to make going forward.

“I had some good conversations with Mark about the direction and how the club want to take it forward, and we felt like we had a really similar view on how that would best be done.

“I think it was a really good match, it hopefully is a really good match, it was the right time for me to make the step, it was the right type of profile of club that I was looking for in Ipswich Town and I’m grateful for them giving me this opportunity and I’m confident that I’ll be able to repay that faith in the future.”

The 35-year-old says he hadn’t put his hat in the ring for any other jobs prior to his appointment at Town: “I haven’t applied for anything over the last few years. I think when you’re working at a club the size and the scale of Manchester United and the importance of that, I was so focused on the day to day there.

“I put my heart and soul into the club, trying to make it better every single day, so I don’t think it would be right with the responsibility I had thee to be applying for jobs or even looking too far forward into the future.

“I always trusted and knew that it was a case of if I did my work and developed myself as a coach as well as what I could, if I developed my skillset, then I knew that my reputation within the club and within football would eventually lead to the right club coming to approach me, and thankfully that was the case with Ipswich.

“It was done in a very respectful way by the club and by [CEO] Mark [Ashton] and United, and again, I’m grateful to them for how they handled the situation and were able to move it forward in the right way. So, this is the right offer at the right time.”

Former Blues boss Jim Magilton extolled McKenna’s virtues having worked with him with Northern Ireland’s U21s but the two are yet to speak following the the one-time Tottenham youngster’s appointment at Town.

“No, I haven’t managed to catch up with Jim yet, actually,” McKenna said. “He’s very much on my call list. This opportunity came about really quickly in the middle of last week and obviously, it’s been a really intense period with Man United as well.

“At the time, we were preparing for the Brentford game, so the opportunity came around really quickly and I’ve been overwhelmed by the messages of support and well wishes from everyone at Man United and externally across football.

“I know Jim’s history with the club, I was fortunate enough to work with him for a very short period with Northern Ireland’s U21s but have known him through different avenues over the years as well.

“A really good man, was good to work for and I enjoyed his company, and I know obviously his history with this club and the success that he had, and I definitely will be making contact with him and looking to tap into his experiences here and also get his opinion and his expertise on how he sees the club going forward. So, I haven’t had a chance to yet, but he is very high on the call list.”

Photo: Matchday Images

buzbyblue added 14:52 - Dec 20 I like the thought and effort he seems to put into everything, a thinker - calm but no mug Very interesting to read in that we head hunted him for the role! Here's to wishing you every success at our club Kieran, welcome to the family
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iaintaylorx added 14:52 - Dec 20 This guy is putting his career on the line here. If is doesn't work out for him, it would scupper any managerial role in his future. So, he obviously sees something really promising here and more so, he really utilises youth, and is really key in the progression of many top class youngsters, i.e Rashford and Greenwood, so hopefully he can push are young lads on further. This is a really exciting appointment and we must all fully back him! Really excited to see how this goes and I wish him all the best! COYB!!

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RobsonWark added 14:55 - Dec 20 Welcome to Ipswich Kieran. Let's hope it's a match made in heaven.
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Orraman added 15:00 - Dec 20 Don't just tap into Jim Magilton's experience here. Get on the phone and get him here. There is obviously mutual admiration for each other's abilities, Jim is loved by Town fans (who couldn't love him after that fantastic hat trick against Bolton in play off semi final?). Rumours about past indiscretions are now history - consign them to the bin where they belong. Once you have taken stock of your new surroundings make this a priority while he is still out of work. Very good introductory press conference and greatly looking forward to Boxing Day (covid permitting)

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churchmans81 added 15:01 - Dec 20 A visionary appointment similar to the one that saw an untested Alf Ramsey likewise become the manager of Ipswich as his first club at 35. Then like now we were in the third tier of English football. Ipswich rose through the divisions over the next six years. As a history lesson for the younger supporters amongst us this saw us winning the third division (League 1) and second division (Championship) and in the 1961—62 season the first division (Premier League). So, a precedent was set. So, onwards and upwards Ipswich Town, Premier League Champions elect 2027-2028. To be sure, to be sure. 🚜⚽️🥅💙 😁.

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Unhinged_dynamo added 15:13 - Dec 20 The more I read and hear about this chap the more enthused I am, given some time I think we could have a really good manager on our hands
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sospier added 15:18 - Dec 20 It's a very big step for Kieran.He has obviously assessed the situation at the club and players.The club have also great respect for him to give three and a half year contract. The future looks bright for one and all.
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runningout added 15:20 - Dec 20 No one knows.. recent history has been very shoddy. I'll be loving ITFC no matter what
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Suffolkboy added 15:52 - Dec 20 Everything he has said carries the weight of sincerity ,along with determination ,enthusiasm and commitment ! Experience and training give him just the right qualities to begin the management trail ! Welcome, enjoy , enjoy bringing all your knowledge to Town and you will find it to be the super Club and supporters to dream of ! COYB
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Bazza8564 added 16:03 - Dec 20 Terrific appointment, clearly a very bright guys, well regarded in the game with great credentials, its very exciting. I hope fans will be patient if things dont explode overnight, but for Kieran's sake I hope we make a winning start and by the time we get back to PR for the two games on 29/12 ans 1/1 we have a bit of forward momentum. Nothing would be better than PR absolutely rocking for those games

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Bert added 16:08 - Dec 20 This has the feeling of the right appointment at the right time. He appears to have the mentality of a man with a modern approach, considered, up for a challenge and no ego to massage unlike Cook and Lambert. Those two had their charms but this man seems for real, authentic and intelligent. His coaching experience with Man U can only be to our advantage. Ferguson always had a soft spot for Ipswich. We may be a League One team now but out of adversity and some dreadful years and recent months, my bones are telling me that it won't be long before we rise again.

3

SickParrot added 16:18 - Dec 20 I expect 1 or 2 young Utd players to follow him here (on loan).
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rgp1 added 16:39 - Dec 20 Well it's an Avenue we haven't tried yet and here's hoping. However I hope he doesn't choke on all the smoke that's being blown up his arse from some.
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mightytown added 17:13 - Dec 20 I think this has disaster written all over it.
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bernie added 17:55 - Dec 20 All the best Kieran , hope it all goes well for you. What do like already is that he seems very focused and not constantly making jokes . Hope you are a strong enough character to deal with some of the egos at the club . COYB
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roystevensonsrocket added 18:19 - Dec 20 Mightown our a cheerful charly rant your . The evidence for your proclamation is nil . Welcome Kieran .
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mathiemagic added 19:25 - Dec 20 @mightytown - I will hold my hand up and say "I think you are wrong" but I can certainly see how if we don't pick up significantly by the end of January, early February and are not in touching distance of the play-offs I can see some calling it a managerial mistake even at that early stage. I am as ever hopelessly blue and optimistic #COYB
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:37 - Dec 20 Bernie SORRY clicked you down by accident .
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:44 - Dec 20 saw interview on East, seems very calm and comes across very well. NOT a bag of wind ,talking in riddles, bigging everything up and he never started sobbing once. It is a big step for him, but he seems level headed ,and imo looks to be somebody going places, hopefully it will be up, with Town . GOOD LUCK Kieran
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ringwoodblue added 21:25 - Dec 20 One of the best things about McKenna is he doesn't come with any baggage, he can't be judged on any previous successes or failures, he doesn't have a favoured formation or system. He's a complete unknown quantity so opposing managers will be at a disadvantage as they simply won't know what they're up against. I think it's very refreshing.
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Wooly74 added 21:34 - Dec 20 Please, please prove me wrong! I so want this appointment to work for all of our sakes, but sadly bowled over by it. Even so, it's all about getting behind him and the club and turning out in numbers like only us Town fans do. Good luck Kieran.
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Wooly74 added 21:35 - Dec 20 Please, please prove me wrong! I so want this appointment to work for all of our sakes, but sadly not bowled over by it. Even so, it's all about getting behind him and the club and turning out in numbers like only us Town fans do. Good luck Kieran.
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Linkboy13 added 22:02 - Dec 20 Im sure he will do a good job but i wish he wouldn't look so worried. Looks like he's doing a Paul Hurst impression.
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Facefacts added 22:33 - Dec 21 All the best to Kieran McKenna. I hope he gets time, and people are patient with him. A new appointment is often a reaction against what was wrong with the last regime, tactical issues we were having, poor selections, in game management, maybe personality clashes. Must be a huge upheaval for him, no wonder he looks a little stressed or lost. Staying in a hotel, etc, he needs the right people around him. Not boozers. We are an unforgiving bunch, but he needs a chance, give him space, give him the best chance of concentrating on what he is good at. Need to get away from old time football culture and embrace the new. I expect to see our best technical players getting picked, will be interesting and good to see that. A new manager with no experience of League One s---housery, dreadful referees, placating, that will be where he needs to learn very fast.

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Facefacts added 22:34 - Dec 21 *playacting
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