CEO Mark Ashton says new Blues boss Kieran McKenna has a similar football intelligence to Brendan Rodgers and Aidy Boothroyd, who he gave their first manager’s jobs during his time at Watford.

Boothroyd was named manager in 2005 and took the Hornets in the Premier League via the play-offs, while Rodgers, like McKenna a Northern Irishman, was recruited from his role as Chelsea’s reserves boss in 2008 and although his time at Vicarage Road was less than successful, has gone on to greater things with Swansea, Liverpool, Celtic and currently Leicester.

Ashton was asked whether he had any concerns that McKenna has coached exclusively at top Premier League clubs either in their academy or with their senior side and has no experience in League One.

“Not at all,” he insisted. “If you look at my background and the young coaches that I’ve given their first opportunities to in Aidy Boothroyd and Brendan Rodgers, people asked me very similar questions when we appointed them.

“I think Kieran has more than enough football intelligence to adapt to whatever circumstances and whatever league and whatever position he finds himself in. That wasn’t a worry for me.”

He added: “If you look at some of the young coaches that I’ve worked with and given their first or second opportunities in management, they’re very similar in their football intelligence, their work ethic, their integrity and very, very clear-minded on how they want to deliver success.

“I’ve seen that in other managers and I’ve certainly seen that as a trait in Kieran. To be honest I can’t want to get started and get to work with him.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Chris_ITFC added 20:32 - Dec 20 It's not all about you, Mark.
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Saxonblue74 added 20:36 - Dec 20 Actually Chris, if he's got this appointment right then I think it is!!
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midastouch added 21:36 - Dec 20 Welcome to Ipswich KMcK. Sounds very level headed and seems to have some clear ideas in mind on how to try and take us forwards. Looking forward to seeing how we progress in the coming weeks and months.
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cornishnick added 22:03 - Dec 20 Let's hope he's more successful than Boothroyd, who hardly set the world alight as a club manager
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Lathers added 22:08 - Dec 20 I just feel numb now after the last 4 years. Let's just see if the latest in a long line of arrivals can finally sort things out….
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Linkboy13 added 22:20 - Dec 20 Needs to work on the defence first. We haven't had a successful centre back pairing for years now.
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mightytown added 22:27 - Dec 20 I think this is the one and only aspect of the appointment of McKenna that makes me feel encouraged - Ashton does seem to have an OK track record with appointing a manager in this ilk. Otherwise, there is nothing (other then blind faith and optimism) that tells me this is going to be anything other than a disaster. Paul Cook was absolutely the manager you would have picked and that was a disaster. I would say we were 'cursed' if I believed in that sort of thing. McKenna has no management experience and was coach at a team who have massively underperformed relative to their budget and play some of the dullest counter attacking football and lack a real sense of identity... Despite solid references form Jim Magilton - I have seen a number of articles that suggest the United players were not overly enamoured with McKenna. Two examples linked below: https://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/man-united-kieran-mckenna-coach-241720 https://thepeoplesperson.com/2021/10/12/kieran-mckenna-and-michael-carrick-are-n Agree with the post from Chris_ITFC (if I have read the subtext of it correctly) Ashton talks a big game... We need to see REAL ACTUAL PROGRESS. Will support the new manager and give him time. Welcome Kieran and good luck.

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runningout added 00:57 - Dec 21 Wouldn't be bothered by what a few Man Utd players have to say about KM. He's moved on now from that time in his life
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 03:56 - Dec 21 Everyone has their personal style, and it's not certain that being the players' best pal is the most desirable. Kieran may need to work on his social side a bit - I don't know - but I think he will gain most respect by the way he works. Like runningout, I wouldn't worry too much about the opinions of some self-important egos at Man U. Hopefully, ITFC will provide a different environment where Kieran can develop, as I'm sure he will be willing to learn too.

5

Eddie1985 added 07:29 - Dec 21 Hopefully more rodgers than boothroyd, saw his Colchester team play and it was drradful long ball football even for long ball football standards
1

SamWhiteUK added 08:51 - Dec 21 That YouTube thumbnail looks like a scene from Line of Duty!
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Bergholtblue added 09:27 - Dec 21 Having had a look at the links provided by Mightytown's post, two things caught my eye 1. "A well-placed associate said McKenna has the potential to go on to manage a top-six Premier League club, such is his level of diligence and research when preparing" so they weren't all dissenting. 2. "More than one well-placed source insisted McKenna commands respect from players through the manner of his set-up but conceded that when he asks them to push past a comfort zone they might subconsciously question his pedigree.". So is this sounds more like the overpaid prima donnas at MU not like being told what to do! This appointment will end in two ways. Either he will be a flop in which case we will need to be looking for another manager next season. He will will be a great success in which case we will be looking for another manager in a couple of seasons and a bigger club will tempt him away. I am looking forward to it being the latter.

1

BlueRaider added 09:27 - Dec 21 I wouldn't boast too much about Boothroyd, some of the worst anti-football I have ever seen when he was manager of Watford
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bobble added 10:57 - Dec 21 has anyone told this bloke about the evil wicked ipswich town fc curse the dark lord put upon us ????
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pragmatic added 12:37 - Dec 21 Negative posters out in force today, Christ sake give the guy a chance, & anyone who delights in chanting “get out of our club” should be 1st to go!!!!! Fortunately the majority of sane supporters are behind the whole project of what McKenna, Ashton, O'Leary & American owners/investors are looking to achieve “over time” COYB
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blues1 added 13:20 - Dec 21 Bergholtblue. We won't be looking for a bed manager next season. He's been brought in with a long term view, not with a short term view thst he has to get us promoted this season. Csn o ly assume u believe if he doesn't get us up this year, he'll have failed. Which is ridiculous considering the position he's inheriting. As for those quoting things from man utd fans suggesting their players didn't get on with him? How the hell would they know? Pure speculation from the kind of fans who just like to spout rubbish. Let's face it, if that was the case, why would successive managers kept him involved at 1st team level? I very much doubt it.

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Linkboy13 added 13:45 - Dec 21 I like the idea of him being a long term appointment but in reality that's not normally how it works out. There's the small minded numpties on here who will be calling for his head if we lose at Gillingham. If it goes horribly wrong for the rest of the season i think those long term plans will go out of the window. He's a young hungry manager with no baggage ive got a feeling it's going to be ok. Of course a lot depends on the staff who he's got working with him.

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runningout added 14:36 - Dec 21 sure Kieran would want better record than Boothroyd and Rodgers
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Edmundo added 10:52 - Dec 22 20 years since we did anything but sink slowly down. 15 years since we had anything to shout about. Surely, surely we're turning the corner...?
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