Blues skipper Sam Morsy says it is “really important” that manager Kieran McKenna will be staying at Portman Road.

Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United all showed interest in the Northern Irishman until he signed a new four-year contract last week, news that Town captain Morsy welcomed.

“It is really important to keep him,” Morsy told BBC Sport at Saturday's Children of Gaza fundraising match. “It was well publicised he could have gone to some big clubs, but he has made history here anyway.

“It is nice that he will continue the journey with us and it would have been a shame if he didn’t do it.

“In the end he has probably thought he has played a huge role in it and we are thankful he can carry on.”

He added: “The manager and staff have built a really competitive culture, one of ownership with everyone having a voice and togetherness.

“We reflect that in everything we do, we have worked hard every day and looked to improve.

“We have managed to stay strong, stay brave and we’ve done it the right way. It is an incredible achievement especially when you consider we have finished above some heavyweights in the division. To do back-to-backs is incredible.”

Reflecting on playing in the top flight for the first time in his career at 32, the Egyptian international said: “To play in the Premier League myself will be special and was a big goal personally. There were times I thought I would become a Premier League player and other times I thought wouldn’t.

“We are here now and it is a fantastic achievement, especially for a great club with a top manager. The fans have been incredible and everyone united to do something special.

“You just have to look at the clubs that have gone up this season, all would have thought they could survive but the Premier League is a different game. Survival in our first season would be a huge success.”

Photo: Matchday Images

OldFart71 added 13:48 - Jun 3 So much is going to depend on recruitment. We all have faith in the system as over most of the transfer windows past a large majority have proven their worth. As Ashton say's when spending Premier League money for a player and his contract it is even more important you don't make errors such as when George Burley was ill advised to buy Finidi George and Mateo Sereni. We aren't in those day's where ultimately everything went t*t's up and it lead to Administration. That won't happen with the backing the club has now and parachute payments not in existence in George's day. Still it's important when playing with other people's money that due care is taken not to waste it.

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PhuketPete added 14:15 - Jun 3 I really really hope Sam has a great PL season and then gradually finds a longer term role at the club. Amazing inspirational player and am sure can become a coach/manager at some stage. (PS, also hoping Sone soon confirmed in some role hereafter).
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Nomore4 added 15:02 - Jun 3 That’s the biggest understatement of the year Sammy boy
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therein61 added 15:18 - Jun 3 I feel that the heart would have been ripped out of the squad had K.M departed the togetherness plus some useful additions will hold us in good stead in which is the biggest challenge ahead next season C.O.Y.B
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Karlosfandangal added 15:49 - Jun 3 Therein61 I can see that happening at the end of this season
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PortmanTerrorist added 16:11 - Jun 3 I hear you Sammy and I agree about stayng up, but just don't think Keiran stayed with us to do that. Am sure he has stayed because he believes we can achieve more and that the owners share his ambition. Quite how that will happen? I have as much of a clue as I had about us getting back-to-back promotions....and I have not missed many games in past 2 years....it is still an unfathomable situation we find ourselves in and to have done it with the style of play we have. And maybe that is our secret weapon...chappers near post header first game maybe ?! lol

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victorysquad added 17:08 - Jun 3 Lets keep our levels high and ambitions too. I want to see us back in Europe within 3 years
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churchmans added 20:54 - Jun 3 @victorysqaud that is what my hope would be and it is achievable! It is this ambition that our club has always had no matter the circumstances is what sets us apart from most teams! We always strive to be better! On talk sport today they said the teams that have gone up(us,Leicester,southampton) are bigger clubs than the 3 that came down! Which is correct and will make the prem leauge that much tougher

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bobble added 21:33 - Jun 4 surely everton ,man city,leicester ,forest will be deducted pts giving us first season back in the 1st an easy task...
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