McKenna's New Deal Finally Confirmed
Thursday, 30th May 2024 16:03

Town have confirmed that boss Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year deal, tying him to the club until the summer of 2028 with his staff also extending their Blues contracts.

The news ends two days of waiting as lawyers worked on the minutiae of the terms with the deal having been agreed early in the week.

“I am extremely proud to have signed a new contract with the club,” McKenna told the club site.

“We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I’m excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years.

“Preparation and planning for the challenge ahead has been ongoing since we won promotion at the beginning of May, with plenty of work still to do before the start of the new season at what is such an exciting time for everyone at the club.

“I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and I am really excited for what's ahead as we continue this journey together.”

Town CEO Mark Ashton added: “We are delighted Kieran has further committed his future to the club.

“Success brings its own challenges and there has been considerable speculation in recent weeks, but Kieran and I have continued to communicate throughout, often several times a day, as we plan for the club’s first Premier League season in a generation.

“For Kieran to have signed a new contract is a significant boost, heading into such an important campaign, as we continue the hard work in preparation for the coming season.”

Assistant manager Martyn Pert, first-team coaches Charlie Turnbull and Lee Grant and head of goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin have also extended their Town contracts.

The improved and extended deal, McKenna was previously contracted until the summer of 2027, follows feverish speculation regarding his future for the last fortnight with Brighton initially looking his likely destination before Chelsea and Manchester United also held talks with his representatives.

As TWTD reported just over a week ago, 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, until Chelsea made 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, the Seagulls put a deadline of Wednesday of thise week 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 believed at the time, McKenna ultimately preferred to remain at Portman Road.

While the speculation regarding the other clubs continued, 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 Town will have their talismanic 38-year-old boss still in charge when they make their return to the Premier League after 22 years away in August.

Photo: ITFC

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Orraman added 16:14 - May 30 What a relief. Great news after such a long and worrying delay. Kieran may not stay with us until 2028 but if he can consolidate our position in the PL he will be able to leave with our fondest wishes
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Positive_Vibes added 16:15 - May 30 FANTASTIC!!!!!
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Positive_Vibes added 16:15 - May 30 FANTASTIC!!!!!
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Help added 16:16 - May 30 Good. Right phone down now I can do some work.
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victorysquad added 16:17 - May 30 Ipswich Town is the perfect incubator for talented managers. We have seen it before, and we are seeing it again.
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osborne1nil added 16:17 - May 30 Great news. A more realistic chance of remaining in the Premiership with KM steering the team. Now we have the most important person, we can keep a watch on playing staff changes, which i expect there will be quite a few. COYB
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pazzy added 16:23 - May 30 YES YES YES
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Bomber added 16:23 - May 30 Fantastic news, if we can now get Omari to join us that will be the icing on the cake
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runningout added 16:24 - May 30 Decent ;-)
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OldFart71 added 16:26 - May 30 Incey Wincey Spider climbed up the water spout, down came the rain and washed poor Incey out. Out came the sun and dried up all the rain and Incey Wincey Spider climbed up the spout again. Super news.
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PimsNumber1 added 16:28 - May 30

Didn't realise he was this ruthless.He certainly had us over a barrel .Suprised we didn't have this auction go on last year but I suppose we did with Crystal Palace.Glad
signed as whole recruitment ,planning 'style of play revolves round him so he was sort of irreplaceable.No need for Edwards type quality who was never going to be good enough.Congrats to McK for getting a deal where he earns probably well over average now for a PL manager and no doubt a lot more than Brighton normally pay .Just hope he's focused after getting his own way so spectacularly

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John_Grose added 16:30 - May 30 Get in, best signing we will make this summer. Gives us hope to really push on.
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Dealblue added 16:30 - May 30 Whilst obviously delighted with the news, i feel a lot of questions remain unanswered. I hope we gradually get to know more of the truth as to what has really been going on. Anyway, can't wait for the new season.
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wischip added 16:32 - May 30 "Igor, light the blue smoke beacon on the hill."
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Ryorry added 16:37 - May 30 Yay!! And I love how confident KM looks in the solo photo there - so confident, in a "come on, take me & my team on, we don't fear anyone" pose!
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Broadbent23 added 16:43 - May 30 Brilliant; now go and build a team that stays in the PL for decades. Success breeds success.
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poet added 16:44 - May 30

I think it was a cheeky approach by Brighton, in my opinion, I doubt McKenna was taking that one very seriously. The Chelsea situation was different, but I’d guess their expectations as to how much control a new manager would actually have over recruitment, wouldn’t have suited McKenna. The Manchester Utd interest I believe did attract him. He has an infinity with the club, and would have been very tempted. That said, I believe we have the best man for the job on an extended contract. To have had to replace him, would have been a step backwards. Now we can relax and look forward to competing in the strongest league in football. COYB’s.

LegendofthePhoenix added 16:53 - May 30 That calls for some serious beer tonight - Adnams Both Barrels.
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Europablue added 16:55 - May 30

PimsNumber1 To be fair, you have to be ruthless to get to the top, even to get to where McKenna is now. He marries ruthlessness with compassion. A lot of the bad feeling of the past few days has been almost entirely down to us letting our imaginations get away from us. KM is quite right, he is just being diligent to consider the offers that are being made and it gives him some inside information too. He has to take care of himself and his family too, and in the end he signed.
We can all put this behind us and get behind him again and now go away and hopefully enjoy the Euros and come back to the serious job of supporting ITFC in the premier league!

pedrail added 16:56 - May 30 I can breathe again. That is fantastic news - life will be tough in the premier league but now we have the best man in charge, along with his support team. Another gripping season in prospect.
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Suffolkboy added 16:57 - May 30

Patience rewarded on all sides.! Best news possible ,and it’s a sorry situation where individuals seek to be critical of private and confidential discussions and negotiations which are a part and parcel of everyone’s journey successfully through life and up the ladder .
KMcK is honest, thoughtful ,a disciplined and dedicated planner and coach, and deserves understanding and praise for the quiet manner and manners he has exhibited throughout .
What a terrific start to another season of pleasure and excitement ; onwards ITFC !
COYB

Burley4ever added 16:59 - May 30 Great relief that KMK has signed to stay with us!!! If Leicester City's manager does go to Chelsea(more fool him) then could that pave the way for Moronio to take over as some rumors I've heard or Brighton if they can afford him or even worse the Budgies as they like foreign crap!!!
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