Boss Kieran McKenna now looks set to stay at Town and sign a new long-term contract.

Since the Blues confirmed promotion to the Premier League, the Town manager has been the subject of speculation regarding his future with Brighton initially looking his likely destination before Chelsea and Manchester United also held talks with his representatives.

As reported on Saturday, Chelsea are now looking elsewhere with former Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi the favourite to take over at Stamford Bridge, while the Red Devils are set to hold an end-of-season review which mean their management situation - with Erik ten Hag currently still in charge - not likely to be settled for a little while yet.

Brighton have remained keen on the Blues boss but told him towards the end of last week that they weren’t prepared to wait indefinitely for him to commit to a move to Sussex.

Meanwhile, the Blues have pulled out all the stops to try to keep the Northern Irishman at Portman Road with TWTD revealing on Friday that Ed 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, had flown over from the States to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna.

The offer of a new more lucrative extended contract was expected to be made as Town sought to keep McKenna, whose current terms run to the summer of 2027, for their first Premier League season in 22 years.

The Blues’ entreaties appear to have done the trick with the Blues boss understood to be ready to commit to staying at Portman Road, although with nothing yet signed.

Confirmation of that new deal will be gleefully celebrated by Town fans, who for the last few days have feared losing the man who has taken them to back-to-back promotions and into the top flight for the first time in a generation.

Photo: Matchday Images

oldelsworthyfan added 19:12 - May 27 He was never leaving - all media hype.
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Saxonblue74 added 19:15 - May 27 News only comes out of PR when there actually IS some news! Remember this through the relentless speculation through the upcoming transfer window!
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WiltsBlue added 19:15 - May 27 I hope this is this is the news we all have been waiting for and putting all the speculation to bed once and for all... Keeping this team together is also so important and with this news i don't doubt we will attract some big names to this fantastic club... We are back in the big time, the future is brighter than ever..... COYB
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Linkboy13 added 19:17 - May 27 Must admit i thought he was leaving us. Never has being proved wrong felt so good. I think starting our Premier league campaign without special K would have been very difficult but if he can get us stabilised in his first season in the big league his departure although not good wouldn't be half as disruptive. But let's hope he's with us for a while yet. I wouldn't put it beyond him to get us into the top ten with the right financial backing.

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WalkRules added 19:21 - May 27 People need to calm down. Since Ashton joined us there has NEVER been any comment on anything until done and dusted. Why have people been moaning at KMcK for not squashing rumours about him. Exactly the same as nobody has commented about the next potential <insert position of choice>. We will know when we know and when the deal is done.
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virginblue added 19:21 - May 27 I love the old “I’ve been going since 1977 therefore my opinion is valid” point. Utter nonsense. If KM was to comment every time there’s speculation then he’d have no time to plan anything.
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surgery added 19:23 - May 27 Good news, but I guess we’ll never know the answer to:- 1 He was never interested in any of these jobs because he wants to be here OR 2. He applied to one / all three jobs and was offered one/ all three but having given it thought turned it/ them down because he wants to be here OR 3. He applied to one / all three and got turned down so he’s staying here but doesn’t want to be here

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Mark added 19:28 - May 27 That would be a big relief. McKenna already has a contract to 2027, so I presume the purpose of the new contract is to tie him to a much bigger release clause than the reported £4m in the current deal, as well as reward his success?
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Crinkle59 added 19:29 - May 27 all the doubtging Hangers on ¬
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Rimsy added 19:32 - May 27 No one more than myself more glad if he does indeed stay. But there's no doubt things have tarnished a bit. Contracts mean nothing, if MU came back for him in a fortnights time he'd still be off. And we've recently learned he apparently came close to leaving for Palace mid season. Like I say, glad it looks like he's staying but not feeling it would have been a disaster if he had of gone.

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Mark added 19:35 - May 27 > Contracts mean nothing, if MU came back for him in a fortnights time he'd still be off. Yes. I think if Man Utd came in at any point he would leave regardless of the salary Ipswich pay, but I hope with a new contract ITFC would get a big release clause payment.
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Saxonblue74 added 19:44 - May 27 Maybe some of the “Simpletons” had a better angle than you Linkboy13?
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1Warky added 19:45 - May 27 Great news. Suggests a lot of backing promised too. Very exciting times ahead now to see what transfers are added. (Just hope it's not a last ditch attempt by his agents to force United's hand before signing. He must have learned a lot about United's new owners by this process. Stick with those who love you Kieran). Well done to the owners and Ashton for keeping patient and putting the money down, recognising how important he is to us. COYB

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Bert added 19:47 - May 27 Leeds fail again, Norwich fail again , we get automatic promotion and KMcK stays. May has been a lovely month.
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Karlosfandangal added 19:57 - May 27 It’s not the fact of I have been going since 77 that my point is valid. The post never stated that It was the fact I was being told I am not a true supporter as I am not running down the street shouting McKennas staying
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planetblue_2011 added 20:20 - May 27 Fantastic news!! Yipee COYB:)
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:24 - May 27 "someone who want to see the job out but was ready to leave. We have all taken him to our hearts but we are not in his...... So if Town do stay in the Prem we will have to go all though this at the end of the season...... Could always swap him for Ten Haig he has won 4 trophies in 5 years" Maybe that sounds a bit disrespectful, it assumes many things. He was never going, he is committed to us if we are committed to him ie war chest and ambition for the Club. If you think he is money orientated you misunderstand the man.

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:24 - May 27 "someone who want to see the job out but was ready to leave. We have all taken him to our hearts but we are not in his...... So if Town do stay in the Prem we will have to go all though this at the end of the season...... Could always swap him for Ten Haig he has won 4 trophies in 5 years" Maybe that sounds a bit disrespectful, it assumes many things. He was never going, he is committed to us if we are committed to him ie war chest and ambition for the Club. If you think he is money orientated you misunderstand the man.

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Stato added 21:03 - May 27 This is really good news which will be welcomed by ALL town supporters. Hopefully now we can stop tearing lumps out of each other on here as all the toxic name calling ain't great. Personally I laugh my socks off whenever I read a post on here that starts with "Any true fan......." What are you aged 10 or something. All opinions are valid in here and all will now get behind KM and the team. See

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bobble added 21:22 - May 27 shame,,i was hoping we would give the dark lord another go...
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bobble added 21:29 - May 27 sound like packs of wipes will be sold out in peru and suffolk this next 48hrs...
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churchmans added 21:33 - May 27 No chit! Like I said all along! His agents done a good job getting him a deserved bumper contract offer!
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ArnieM added 21:39 - May 27 Not that we’ll get to hear the nuts & bolts of the new contract, but I suspect KM will now be on a VERY hefty contract. This together with a likely even bigger buy-out clause, for Towns benefit, should hopefully see off most future suitors, except for the big 5. We’ve got ourselves an absolute gem of a manager not seen here since the late GREAT Sir Bobby Robson. I’m looking forward to seeing whom McKenna has asked for on his wish list. I just hope he gets his birthday wish of Omari. We’ll see COYBsssss

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Broadbent23 added 22:15 - May 27 I will send you a pen to sign the contract. You know it makes sense. Improve Town for the next few years and then rejoin Man Utd. We await our first game in the next three weeks. Man Utd or Chelsea at home.
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Dab added 23:24 - May 27 Sorry for being a grouch, but until I see the story on the ITFC website with KmcK pictured signing a document with MA in the background, this is still speculation based on someone's "understanding". I give it more credence as it has been reported on TWTD but it ain't fact yet..
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