Majority shareholder Ed Schwartz has flown over to the UK to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and manager Kieran McKenna as the Blues seek to keep the Northern Irishman at Portman Road, TWTD understands.

Over the last few days, McKenna has emerged as a target of Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United and Chelsea with his representatives understood to have held talks with all three clubs.

But Town remain hopeful of keeping the man who has guided them to back-to-back promotions at Portman Road for their first Premier League campaign in 22 years.

We understand Schwartz, the CEO of ORG, the US investment firm which manages funds on behalf of the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS), the club’s majority owner, flew over from the States earlier this week especially for the talks with Ashton and McKenna.

Schwartz and Blues CEO Ashton were spotted together yesterday at the Salthouse Hotel - and pictured by a fan with those images passed on to TWTD - with the Blues trying to do everything they can to keep McKenna at Portman Road. We understand he is also set to speak to McKenna while in Ipswich.

A new more lucrative extended deal seems certain to be part of the discussions with McKenna already contracted to the club until the summer of 2027.

Photos: TWTD/Contributed

flykickingbybgunn added 16:16 - May 24 Fingers crossed.
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Linners added 16:18 - May 24 Is Ashton dressed as a vicar?
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midastouch added 16:19 - May 24 CEOxygen
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WhoisJimmyJuan added 16:19 - May 24 Ransom
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ArnieM added 16:19 - May 24 Hmmm, the big guns from our owners now getting involved. Not sure if this is good or bad news!
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pointofblue added 16:20 - May 24 Linners - maybe he's hoping for divine intervention.
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bluejacko added 16:21 - May 24 The big guns called in.
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Vancouver_Blue added 16:22 - May 24 Geez...I wish someone would just come out and give us a statement. My phone ringtone is The Clash, 'Should I Stay or Should I Go' we need to get a new manager in he should be allowed to have the whole summer to get a squad ready.
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sito added 16:23 - May 24 He would probably dress in whatever Kieran asked him to at the present time.
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Portman51 added 16:23 - May 24 Guardian reports Man U have decided to sack ETH regardless of Cup Final outcome.
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:23 - May 24 Linners thats his praying outfit .
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victorysquad added 16:24 - May 24 Poor old Ashton, he looks knackered! Come on Kieran, don't put him through this!
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TractorfactorSteve added 16:30 - May 24 Ramsey and Robson turning in their graves. Men who could teach KMcK a thing or two.
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SuffolkPunchFC added 16:33 - May 24 Let's also not speculate or jump to conclusions. The fact is Schwartz flew to the UK and met with Ashton (there is photographic evidence ;-) ) What we don't know is that he will meet with McKenna ('we understand' may or may not be based on solid evidence, and could be considered hearsay for now) nor do we know what Ashston & Schwartz discussed. It may have been an already scheduled meeting to discuss budgets and plans for the transition into the EPL (speculation on may part, but no less valid than other speculation). If it was a scheduled meeting to discuss this, then it's likely to have involved a meeting with McKenna anyway, therefore such a meeting (if it happens) proves nothing one way or the other. We are outside observers (like the media are) with little solid knowledge or understanding of what is being discussed. Be patient and wait for official word from the club - only then will it be conclusive.

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Andy32Cracknell added 16:35 - May 24 @victorysquad - I was thinking exactly the same thing. In general. It’s Good to see Schwartz over here, shows we are going to do everything we can to keep McKenna. I personally think it could be a massive mistake by McKenna if he leaves. Could fall flat on his face (not down to his as ability) but in regards to the cut throat approach by other owners/ceo’s. I really hope he see’s sense and stays here for many more years and build our reputation together. Like Mark Ashton has said, there really is no limit as to what we can achieve, a AS LONG AS WE STICK TOGETHER. Read this McKenna and do the right thing which is STAY.

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kizaitfc added 16:38 - May 24 SuffolkPunchFC, whilst you are obviously correct he may have already planned to fly over to discuss various things. Given the current on goings he will definitely be speaking with KM about his contract and the current speculation.
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Flamencaman added 16:39 - May 24 McKenna has probably said buy me Omari or I’ll go to Chelsea to be with him, McK is staying they are sorting investments out
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 16:41 - May 24 We shall have to see what the outcome of this is, but if K McK stays, which most of us still probably view as the best result, then I am a little worried that a bit of the gloss will have rubbed off. Whatever happens, we will need a fresh start - fresh start with McK, putting behind us the ins and outs of the last two weeks, or fresh start with a new manager.

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Doc_Albran added 16:45 - May 24 I imagine his visit is for two reasons 1) can McKenna be kept, looking less likely as his agent pimps him to all and sundry 2) who's his replacement and how much does that cost?
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joyousblue added 16:47 - May 24 What i dont get is hes contacted until 2027 , its not like aplayer who will play poorly until released is it , he could not suddenly becomesbad manager
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Dissboyitfc added 16:49 - May 24 Not sure this sits well with me if true. If he wants away we should let him go, don’t want anybody here who’s mind isn’t here! Another thought perhaps he’s here to help Ashton interview KMs successor!
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surgery added 16:49 - May 24 Can’t help thinking that if he goes to Chelsea he’ll be out of a job before the end of this year. Can you imagine trying to manage that lot of superstar's (aka overpaid prima Donna’s). There’re unmanageable. You only have to look back at that “ I’m taking the penalty “ situation a few weeks ago to see that.
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Tractorog added 17:01 - May 24 Calm down. We know, if he goes, we tried. We also know the club will waste no time replacing him if he goes. But this also implies it is still an "if". I personally think it's no easy decision for McKenna. Ipswich is organised around his needs and requirements. Chelsea, Brighton and Man Utd will expect him to fit into their way of doing things. He may decide to stay to have more power to his negotiating elbow next time.

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Tractorog added 17:01 - May 24 Calm down. We know, if he goes, we tried. We also know the club will waste no time replacing him if he goes. But this also implies it is still an "if". I personally think it's no easy decision for McKenna. Ipswich is organised around his needs and requirements. Chelsea, Brighton and Man Utd will expect him to fit into their way of doing things. He may decide to stay to have more power to his negotiating elbow next time.

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Rootshall91 added 17:05 - May 24 We are being linked with John Heitinga as a replacement for McKenna. Heitinga has just left a coaching role at West Ham. He was previously interim manager of Ajax in 2023 and won 11 of his 16 games in charge.
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