Today marks the third anniversary of the Blues appointing Kieran McKenna as manager.

The Northern Irishman was recruited from Manchester United, where he had been a member of the backroom staff under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and briefly Ralf Rangnick, following Paul Cook’s sacking.

Since then, McKenna, now 38, has masterminded a remarkable turnaround in the Blues’ fortunes and days and nights no fan will ever forget.

His first game ended in a 1-0 home victory over Wycombe Wanderers, courtesy of a James Norwood goal, and Town eventually finished 11th in League One in his first half-season in charge.

But in his inaugural full campaign as manager, the one-time Tottenham academy midfielder and coach led the Blues to promotion out of the third tier after four seasons, Town going on a remarkable run of 13 wins in 14 from late February to secure second place with a stunning 6-0 home victory over Exeter at Portman Road.

Last season, the Blues recorded back-to-back promotions for the first time in their history, once more finishing second having battled the three relegated former Premier League sides all season, again confirming their elevation from the Championship with another famous Portman Road afternoon of celebration, this time after a 2-0 defeat of already-relegated Huddersfield.

That success led to interest from more established clubs in the summer with talks understood to have taken place with Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United, while Crystal Palace had made an approach even before the season’s end.

However, McKenna ultimately opted to stay at Town, signing a very lucrative new contract which runs to the summer of 2028, ahead of the Blues’ first season back in the Premier League for 22 years.

Despite an inevitably tough opening few months, Town celebrated McKenna’s third anniversary in the Portman Road hotseat by beating another WWFC, Wolverhampton Wanderers, 2-1 at Molineux on Saturday, courtesy of Jack Taylor’s last-gasp goal, and hit their manager’s three-year milestone very much in the hunt to retain their hard-won top-flight status.

Overall, McKenna’s record in charge of Town reads played 148, won 77, drawn 43, lost 28, a win percentage of 52.03, higher even than those of the club’s most successful managers, Sir Bobby Robson, Sir Alf Ramsey and George Burley.

Photo: Matchday Images

victorysquad added 10:17 - Dec 16 To the boss, I cannot thank you enough for what joys you have already bought us so far on this journey. You are clearly a remarkable manager, you have the whole of Suffolk and beyond behind you, including the CEO + board and I hope you and your family are very happy here. I thank you for turning down those offers in the Summer, it would have been easy to take one of those options, but I feel you really made the honourable choice and that will stand you in good stead in your career. I know it is a lot to ask, but I would love for you to take us back into Europe. I know it might take a few years, but we would love nothing more than to see your statue rightfully sitting alongside Robson and Ramsey. I feel the script may already have been written.

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Esseeja added 10:23 - Dec 16 Thank you, Kieran McKenna, for the journey you've brought us on, and the positive experiences we have seen under your management and coaching.
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Westy added 10:40 - Dec 16 What a remarkable job he has done. Keeping Town in the Premiership, if that can happen, with a newly promoted team including utilizing players who played under him in League One, will arguably be his greatest achievement to date. No doubt he has targets lined up for the January transfer window and obviously has good contacts in the game. Well done Mark Ashton and the owners too.

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FarnboroBlue added 10:46 - Dec 16 I remember watching us away on the box at Gillingham, first week of 2022, and I couldn't believe the improvement in such a small period of time. I said to my youngster, this guy will be our third Manager of England. Even more convinced now!
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BlueBlood90 added 10:48 - Dec 16 Thank you for everything Kieran. A truly unforgettable three years. What a job he's done and long may it continue!
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_clive_baker_ added 10:57 - Dec 16 Read the first paragraph and misinterpreted it, now laughing at the prospect of Paul Cook managing Manchester United. As for McKenna, the guy is the real deal. What an incredible appointment and what a remarkable job he's done and continues to do. Whatever happens this season it certainly won't be for a lack of leadership. I hope all of us Town fans remember that and keep backing him come what may.

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TimmyH added 10:59 - Dec 16 Well done Kieran good job over the last 3 years!...hope it continues.
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ImAbeliever added 11:01 - Dec 16 Those stays are incredible, truly amazing turn around in 3 years. Thanks.
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Broadbent23 added 11:06 - Dec 16 Having had a succession of poor managers since leaving the PL it was brave of ITFC to go for a rookie manager. We were rock bottom with new investors so let's create something refreshing. So with KMc, MA and co on the helm we now have a club which is 200% better in all respects . This season is tough but with the club making the right decisions who knows what we can achieve. Well done and thank you to KMc and co.

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WeWereZombies added 11:23 - Dec 16 It's going to be confusing at the of the 2024/25 season when WWFC get promoted and WWFC get relegated so that they both end up in the Championship.
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trncbluearmy added 11:44 - Dec 16 Three more years! AT LEAST we got super Kieran McKenna................
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MVBlue added 12:04 - Dec 16 Some Impact from this guy. Always worth listening to his briefings, he educates on the intricacies of the game. Although recent games have shown he could still achieve even more as top level experience comes, I am a true fan of McKenna.
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Bert added 12:18 - Dec 16 What makes him so special is his personal integrity, his communication skills and his understanding of the club and the needs of supporters. He really is an exceptional human being.
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Bluemoss added 12:31 - Dec 16 He knows exactly what we need....
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Langdon_Blue added 12:35 - Dec 16 Simply the best signing the club has made in decades!!
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FreddySteady added 13:01 - Dec 16 Slight digression. Did Viking poems at school today. They’re called Kennings. Comes from the old Norse verb Kenna which means “to know, recognise, perceive or feel.” Seems about right!
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hello66 added 13:08 - Dec 16 To the boss I have been a long life supporter of Ipswich town since 1975 What you have achieved in such a short space of time with the board and the new owners has been absolutely remarkable/outstanding/on the verge of a miracle….. sending in the fan base into a crescendo of joy. There are not words in the English dictionary to say thank you enough from all the supporters. We always knew that this year would be tough, but we believe in you and the players and we will be right behind you , happy shopping in January window, we know that you will find a hidden gem somewhere. Whatever happens this season, we will all be there roaring you and the team along. May I take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas and all the staff at Ipswich town and all the fans and everybody on this board?! I’ve already had my Christmas present this year… it’s being a very happy Ipswich town supporter!

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Pendejo added 13:16 - Dec 16 Thank you Thank you for; the football, the wins, the promotions, the FGF, your studious humble ascent to the top, a full PR every home game even though it's difficult to get tickets for home games and buying tickets a month in advance for away days... makes a massive change from buying on line at 11am on a Saturday and sitting in a cold and lonely lifeless stadium. Thank you Keiran

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Pendejo added 13:17 - Dec 16 Of The Twitter timeline is worth revisiting...
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Alphawhiskey added 13:24 - Dec 16 What a manager. Currently the third best the club has ever had.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:39 - Dec 16 Apart from the fantastic achievements on the field, what I appreciate most about our superb manager is his clear, honest and objective assessments. So many managers spout biased rubbish regarding fouls, offsides and the like, but we are thankfully spared all that. I really believe that there are few if any better managers in the country at the moment. Kieran, I think our situation best suits your qualities. I hope you stay with us for a very long time!

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johnwarksshorts added 13:40 - Dec 16 What a fantastic journey he has taken us on. He got our club back. Thankyou.
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Cheshire_Blue added 13:53 - Dec 16 I am a life long supporter of my home town club, since the early 1950s, and I have seen it all through thick and thin. I am lucky enough to have seen my team become League Champions in 1962, win the FA Cup in 1978 and the EUFA Cup in 1981. I count myself very lucky to have witnessed these successes but when I reached the age of 70 I did not think I would again see them in the Premier League. I salute you Kieran for changing all that and making a lifelong Town Fan now approaching the age of 77 very Happy. Thank you, Kieran, most sincerely.

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KMcBlue added 14:11 - Dec 16 Fantastic manager. Fantastic man. It was the volunteering to help clear up after the promotion party that confirmed this for me. Not for a photo opportunity- but because he's a decent, thoughtful, caring man. I wouldn't swap KMc for any manager in the division. If he keeps us up, and I've a feeling he will, it will be triumph of a great man and club over all the money and corruption

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baxterbasics added 14:33 - Dec 16 He's done alright, 'aint he?
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