Town boss Kieran McKenna’s new contract is still with the lawyers and confirmation of the new deal is now expected to be confirmed on Thursday.

It’s understood there’s no panic with the long-term, more lucrative deal agreed, but with legal teams continuing to work through the fine detail.

The Blues boss was at Portman Road yesterday with a photo of him playing football on the pitch with his son having circulated on social media but is now believed to have gone abroad.

The Town manager’s future has been the subject of feverish speculation for most of the last fortnight with Brighton initially looking his likely destination before Chelsea and Manchester United also held talks with his representatives.

As reported last Wednesday, despite speaking to McKenna’s people, Leicester’s Enzo Maresca was always Chelsea’s top target and the Italian is now understood to be close to being appointed at Stamford Bridge.

The Red Devils, who beat Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday, 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.

Early last week, prior to Chelsea making their interest known, Brighton are understood to have thought the Blues boss was ready to join them.

As no progress was made in the following days and as the situation developed, we understand the Seagulls set a deadline of this Wednesday for the Northern Irishman to commit to a move to Sussex.

But, as was the case with Crystal Palace when they showed interest in February, a switch which it has now emerged came closer than appeared at the time, McKenna ultimately preferred to remain at Portman Road.

While the speculation regarding the other clubs continued apace, the Blues pulled out all the stops to try to keep hold of their manager 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, flying over from the States to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna.

Those talks were evidently a success and once the new contract is confirmed, Town fans will be assured that they will have their talismanic boss still in charge when they make their return to the Premier League after 22 years away in August.

Photo: Matchday Images

Cakeman added 21:27 - May 29 Unfortunately this is becoming an unwelcome distraction to what should be an exciting time with preparing for our Premier League return. Aside from sorting Kieran’s new contract I’m sure there is work going on behind the scenes with player retention lists and desired additions to our squad but the lack of information coming out of Portman Road is unexpected. It is no wonder many supporters have expressed mixed views over the past couple of weeks. Hopefully Kieran really wants to stay and this will become apparent very soon, then we can finally move on and focus 100% on preparation for the new season.

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bluelad7 added 21:42 - May 29 He was always staying for the journey. We are premier league and we’ve got McKenna too.
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Fatboy added 22:01 - May 29 This is fast turning into a Craig David song
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Bert added 22:39 - May 29 Some folk on here need to get real. The PL is a different kettle of fish from the Championship. Contracts, salaries, sponsorships,tv deal etc are unlike anything we have ever seen. It’s cut throat and that’s why we are fortunate to have experienced people like Ashton and our owners to do our bidding. The club will protect its assets and so must KMcK do likewise. The days of Mickey Mouse negotiations and simple contracts are over.

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terryf added 23:00 - May 29 I agree with Bert, some people need to get real. I honestly believe that our Manager has never wanted to leave. He is happy here and has a great relationship with Mark Ashton and has been involved with rebuilding our Club in all areas with still more work to be done. I doubt he would have enjoyed that freedom with all the other Clubs mentioned. Also how can people criticise his Agent when all he has done is negotiate a well deserved contract for a job well done.

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Karlosfandangal added 23:30 - May 29 It amazes me how long it take to sort out a contract as they are not worth the paper it’s written on There will be clauses that allow KmK to leave the club except they will have to pay a fee to get him. End of the season if the bookies are right Town are 8/11 for relegation only Leicester below as they are expected a points reduction KmK will be off
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VanDusen added 23:51 - May 29 Guys guys guys - some of the comments on here? The only way to get what you want with businessmen is to play hard ball. And now we're in the big league this is big business. McKenna's stock is high - possibly as high as it will ever get, always the football manager's dilemma. Of course you do the talks and you see what is on offer and then you go back and dictate your terms to the US owners - and that is exactly how the yanks expect business to be conducted. Nothing to do with loyalty per se - I suspect we were always his preferred outcome, but only if he gets the pay packet he deserves and the investment in the squad he wants to ensure we have a reasonable chance of him keeping us up in the first instance - I mean we still have a fringe squad with League One players playing out of their skins. For years plenty on here have been lamenting what a pushover we've been in the transfer market, or that Mick didn't stick up to Marcus Evans etc. etc. We have ambitious owners and an ambitious manager who's made it clear he's only staying if we are intent on greater things. What's not to like?!

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PhuketPete added 02:38 - May 30 It’ll be papered over for the sake of continuity but Mark wasn’t happy (to put it very mildly) at KM’s silence in the face of his agent’s antics. Esp coming so soon after the new contact signed last summer and the Palace affair when KM was almost out the door in February. I heard it said at the time the MA/KM relationship may never be the same again even if KM stays. All of which perhaps helps explain why this contract is more drawn out than previous versions as MA presumably seeks to make the “long term contract” worthy of its name, whilst KM’s lawyers try to create wriggle room. I just hope any break clause is large enough to actually deter a move for at least a year. None of us need a 3rd bout of this unsavoury nonsense any time soon.

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Mr_Jingles added 07:22 - May 30 Must have some Canary lovers posting on this forum ! All the negative stuff is a bit unwarranted given we dont know the full story.
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ArmaghBlue added 07:52 - May 30 Tick..tock..
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dirtydingusmagee added 08:31 - May 30 Hope its sorted today im almost out of popcorn
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thundercat added 08:39 - May 30 If he really wanted to remain at Ipswich surely he would have told his agents that he was happy here so therefore there was no need for them to look for a move elsewhere. But he didn't did he, so why are some supporters still singing his praises
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atty added 08:55 - May 30 Phil1969 l thinks it’s more than fair to say that the pros more than outway the co s with KMc, not least his part in the massive achievements of the last two seasons. That said you raise an interesting point. Conceding 57 goals last season, with the high risk ( but exciting) strategy is a concern going into a PL season. It will be very interesting to see how he deals with it. No doubt they will be another upgrade to the squad, so will it will carry on regardless, run towards adversity etc.,or some tinkering with the system? Safe to say l don’t think we have to worry about him parking the bus!

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atty added 08:55 - May 30 Phil1969 l thinks it’s more than fair to say that the pros more than outway the co s with KMc, not least his part in the massive achievements of the last two seasons. That said you raise an interesting point. Conceding 57 goals last season, with the high risk ( but exciting) strategy is a concern going into a PL season. It will be very interesting to see how he deals with it. No doubt they will be another upgrade to the squad, so will it will carry on regardless, run towards adversity etc.,or some tinkering with the system? Safe to say l don’t think we have to worry about him parking the bus!

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Karlosfandangal added 09:16 - May 30 Outstanding for the last two seasons and what a great ride it has been. But this has taken the shine off it all for me. I hope it’s all explain when the contract is sign or is it going to be the same as last February. Hope MA has a list of replacement because when the merry go round of Prem managers sacking start I can see his agents touting him around again
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:38 - May 30 Agree Karlos, its all cast a shadow over our promotion . He could have put an end to it if he was wanting to stay, Its the first time ive been disappointed in him. That said im pleased he appears to be staying, but, his commitment to to ''the project'' is now questionable . imo ,
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Crawfordsboot added 09:47 - May 30 People are wetting themselves talking about disloyalty in talking to other clubs, tainted goods etc. Where were these comments when we recruited him to Town. Was it OK for KM to talk with us, whilst he was employed elsewhere, but not OK for him to talk to bigger clubs now even though he is going to stay.
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Tedray added 10:13 - May 30 What happens to his salary if Town are relegated or even get stuck in the Championship for a few years
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terryf added 10:24 - May 30 It's just business. If you or I were in demand jobwise surely we would consider all possibilities. I had a similar scenario when I was in my twenties and had a good offer of another job but my heart was where I was working at the time. My Boss made it worthwhile to stay with a pay rise and a promotion followed a year later. You can't blame Kieran and his Agent for securing his future whilst his career is in the ascendancy!

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Berchules added 10:25 - May 30 Some of the idiots on here!!! Unbelievable. So quick to criticise & then come out with the happy clapper crxp. None of us know what goes on behind the office doors. I suspect KM's representatives have spoken to all interested parties, kept him & Ashton informed & as a result Ipswich are offering a new, improved deal which KM is more than worth. I doubt the terms at Brighton or Chelsea were of interest apart from financial as it seems the directors etc are trying to dictate team affairs which might be the case at MU also with Ashworth In place. I find it very strange Chelsea have appointed Maresca as his success is limited to inheriting a Premier team & gaining prom. He was hopeless at Parma.

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flykickingbybgunn added 10:47 - May 30 I think what has happened was just a bargaining ploy to get a new contract. I believe he will now be paid the going rate for a middling EPL manager. His agent rattled a few cages and there it is.
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Karlosfandangal added 10:55 - May 30 Crawfordboot. Agree with you, however I understand him leaving United for us as he wanted to be a manager not assistant, and yes agree if Man U wanted him as manager it’s a no brainier, boyhood team, chance of a lifetime etc But it this, “long term project “ and Town top of Championship but oooh Crystal Palace want me and then Town are Prem ooh Brighton want me. For me if he had come out and said I am staying or Ipswich don’t meet my ambitions then fair enough.but nothing, I just hope he puts the record straight because as most have said we don’t really know what’s gone on. Just feel that if a Prem team comes in for him in December he will be off….especially if we are looking to be relegated

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Karlosfandangal added 10:55 - May 30 Crawfordboot. Agree with you, however I understand him leaving United for us as he wanted to be a manager not assistant, and yes agree if Man U wanted him as manager it’s a no brainier, boyhood team, chance of a lifetime etc But it this, “long term project “ and Town top of Championship but oooh Crystal Palace want me and then Town are Prem ooh Brighton want me. For me if he had come out and said I am staying or Ipswich don’t meet my ambitions then fair enough.but nothing, I just hope he puts the record straight because as most have said we don’t really know what’s gone on. Just feel that if a Prem team comes in for him in December he will be off….especially if we are looking to be relegated

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wewerefamous added 11:11 - May 30 Is Craig David writing the contract… should have signed the contract on Monday, then we waited till Tuesday, we were still all waiting on Wednesday and on Thursday and Friday and Saturday, he signed on Sunday :)
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wischip added 11:19 - May 30 I'm now thinking of that scene in Airplane! where the stewardess tells the passengers "there's no need to panic" and then they all panic. Welcome onboard to Flight TWTD999
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