Town boss Kieran McKenna has won the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the overall LMA Manager of the Year in addition to the Championship gong at this evening’s LMA Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane.

McKenna was sat alongside Blues CEO Mark Ashton and other Town staff at the LMA (League Managers Association) Awards, which are voted on by league bosses.

The Northern Irishman becomes the second Town winner of the LMA’s Manager of the Year honour following George Burley in 2001, getting the nod ahead of Manchester City's Pep Guardiola, despite the Spaniard having led his side to a record fourth successive Premier League title.

Although it’s unusual for the boss of a side outside the Premier League to win the overall award Peter Reid won it with Sunderland in in 1996, Danny Wilson the following year with Barnsley, Alan Curbishley with Charlton in 2000, Steve Coppell with Reading in 2006, Eddie Howe with AFC Bournemouth in 2015 and Chris Wilder with Sheffield United in 2019 having taken their sides to promotion from the second tier.

“It’s an incredible honour,” McKenna told the club website. “To see the names that have previously won this award, and for it to be voted for by fellow managers, makes it extra special.

“It’s a very proud moment and I want to thank everyone involved at Ipswich Town, including the board, staff, supporters and players who have played a part in this amazing and historic season.

“On a personal note I also want to thank my family for their support in the years of hard work and sacrifice it has taken to get to this point in my career.”

The Blues manager previously won the EFL Championship award following Town’s brilliant 2023/24 season in which they finished second in the division, a year after winning promotion from League One.

Speculation regarding Chelsea’s interest in McKenna has been renewed since news of Mauricio Pochettino’s departure from Stamford Bridge broke early this evening.

The Northern Irishman is claimed to be among the West Londoners’ potential targets, however, it be a surprise if they were to appoint a manager who is yet to take charge of a game in the top flight.

Brighton remain keen and McKenna is still the favourite for the Seagulls job with most bookies but with Nice boss Francesco Farioli, departing manager Roberto de Zerbi’s pick for the role, increasingly favoured by others.

The Blues are understood to be ready to pull out all the stops to keep McKenna at Portman Road ahead of their first season in the Premier League for 22 years.

McKenna is contracted to Town until the summer of 2027 having signed new terms last summer. Compensation of £6 million would reportedly be due to the Blues should another club seek to appoint him.

Photo: Matchday Images

Whos_blue added 23:43 - May 21 Incredible result and KM is the deserved winner. All managers want to win this one. His stock is rising by the day!
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parhamblue added 23:49 - May 21 Brilliant result for a brilliant head coach. We're probably already back in the SBR era where the manager was paid higher than any player, but if it needs another contract, then so be it.
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cooper4england added 00:26 - May 22 brilliant work. getting to the point where what will be will be.
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Tractorog added 00:44 - May 22 Nietzsche declared that God is dead. Bookmakers have made Kieran McKenna favourite to replace him.
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KiwiBlue2 added 00:58 - May 22 Outstanding achievement. Getting back to the Premier League from where we had fallen in such a short time with Kieran at the helm is probably the clubs greatest achievement in the 50 or so years that I have been a supporter. It is, in my opinion, up there with the FA and UEFA cup wins. If Kieran should leave, although I do not think that he will just yet, we should not be sad but be eternally grateful for having him here in the first place. As long as we can fund the team and acquisitions that he wants, I think that we will have the pleasure of his talents for a while yet. Cannot wait for the new season to begin.... coyb

4

htb added 01:25 - May 22 Very well deserved. In my opinion a once in a generation manager extremely talented. If we can hold on to him I believe he can establish us as a top level club. I hope he feels the same way about Ipswich as we feel about him and we can enjoy many more successful years ahead of us.
7

htb added 01:25 - May 22 Very well deserved. In my opinion a once in a generation manager extremely talented. If we can hold on to him I believe he can establish us as a top level club. I hope he feels the same way about Ipswich as we feel about him and we can enjoy many more successful years ahead of us.
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bobble added 02:46 - May 22 surely it should have gone to leeds manager as he told us all earlier in the season his team was the best ? this is not fair , keiran should give it back, so it be given to the really great leeds manager.....
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JewellintheTown added 06:10 - May 22 Well deserved! Great KM finally gets the recognition he fully deserves from his peers. As of this moment, Sky sports & the BBC are only promoting Pep getting the Prem manager of the season award. So sad, but no real surprise there though. Guess we better get used to that. We've spoilt the party & proven them all wrong which hasn't gone down well. All the more sweeter that we're shaking up the establishment. Long may it continue with KM at the helm.

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LegendofthePhoenix added 06:23 - May 22 What an incredible achievement and honour this is. For Kieran to have this award handed to him by Sir Alex will mean so much to him. We really do have a very special man at the helm. I think recent days have made us all realise, if we didn't previously, that Kieran is worth more to us than any player. His ability to get each and every player to be the very best version of themselves in every way, and for that team to play so cohesively that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, means that his worth is incalculable. I'm sure MA knows this, and will reward him with another new contract. Well done Kieran, we salute you.

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ArnieM added 06:34 - May 22 Never in doubt for a minute. Now sling yer hook all you interested clubs, he’s our manager, and he’s staying to complete the job here. WEVE GOT SUPER KIERAN MCKENNAAAA
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Help added 06:52 - May 22 Kieran is clearly going to need a bigger trophy shelf
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anditractor added 07:06 - May 22 Fantastic award for Keiron and also everyone at Ipswich, well deserved. On another note I really hope he stays, my gut feeling says he will as he has to finish what he started and stay with us for many years. I just wish he would put this story to bed and tell everyone he is staying with us !!
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carlisleaway added 08:02 - May 22 What a manager we have in McKenna, throw the cheque book at him and give him the contract he deserves. We have been spoilt over the past 2 years and in years to come we will remember the joy he has given us. If he stays then start building that statue, because with the players and money he had available in that short time he has performed miracles. The fan base which had disappeared have all returned along with a younger age group that had looked down on ITFC

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Broadbent23 added 08:50 - May 22 Fully deserved. Next step sign a new contract at town please. The results over the last two seasons have proved we have a diamond and the reasons why he is on every team's shopping list. Long may Keiran reign at Ipswich.
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barrystedmunds added 08:59 - May 22 I doubt there is a true footballing supporter in this country who would not agree with that outcome. Absolutely amazing achievement.
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Karlosfandangal added 11:21 - May 22 Outstanding……if he were to go I have a lot of faith in Aston to be able to replace him. If he is not going (which I can not see why he would) wonder why he has not said so to end the speculation or are Town waiting to announce his new contract.
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Help added 15:09 - May 23 Is this the ultimate manager of the year curse we are experiencing
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