Town boss Kieran McKenna has reaffirmed his intention to remain with the Blues despite relegation from the Premier League appearing certain to be confirmed this weekend at Newcastle.

Anything other than a Blues win at St James’ Park and a West Ham defeat at Brighton would send Town back to the Championship after one season back in the top flight.

McKenna committed his future to the Blues, with whom he signed a new contract which runs until the summer of 2028 last summer following interest from Brighton, Manchester United and Chelsea, a fortnight ago and when the same question was put to him again today, said nothing had changed, despite being linked with his old club Tottenham in some quarters and speculation that Fulham and Brentford might look in his direction should their managers move on in the close season.

“That's where my focus is,” McKenna said. “I've spoken about it before, so I'm not going to answer the question every week.

“I've already answered it and nothing has changed in that department. My full focus is towards that. 

“In a project that has been an incredible journey, the project here is to try and build a sustainable Premier League football club. 

“We've taken some incredible steps to that quicker than anyone would have believed. It looks like we're going to take a step back this year, but that's often how progression needs to happen.

“We're all focused on making the best of the next few games and then tackling the next challenge, whatever it will be next season. It's my full 100 per cent focus.”

Asked whether the club’s American owners retain their enthusiasm after a bruising first encounter with the Premier League, he added: “Most certainly. The ins and outs of that are questions for [chairman and CEO] Mark [Ashton] and not myself, but we've got fantastic owners and investors who it's not just about money, but it's about the support that they give, the clarity and composure that they give and they are a fantastic ownership group who support us in every way. 

“They've probably seen this year and they share the same emotions as many Ipswich fans and many Ipswich players and staff members. There's been a lot to enjoy about the season. We all would have enjoyed winning more games.

“And, like everyone else involved in the football club, they will have learned a lot as well and plan to use the year and the progress over the last three years as now another step towards bringing the club forward to their ultimate aim of really building and rebuilding an established Premier League football club. I'm sure they have taken a lot from it, as we all have.”

Earlier today, the club announced that season ticket prices are increasing by 10 per cent ahead of 2025/26 and McKenna was asked for his message for fans weighing up whether to renew.

“They've been fantastic and they've got a really big role to play,” he said. “Look, I don't want to talk too much about next year because it's Saturday first of all and they've got a big journey up at St James's Park, and we want them to enjoy it, we want to make it the best one possible. And we'll try and do the same next week at Everton and then at Brentford and at Leicester and at West Ham.

“But they've been outstanding this year in terms of how they've supported the players, the staff and everyone. They've represented the club really, really well.

“And it's appreciated by all and commented by all, especially. I know Jens [Cajuste] has spoken about it, but different players who've maybe been at different clubs and in different countries are really astounded by the support that has been here. 

“We want to keep earning it and we're going to keep looking to do that. I don't think we could work much harder than we are at the moment.

“The supporters are supporting us, but we all want to win more games, send them home happy on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon whenever it might be more often. So, that's a big driving force for us.

“We want to try and do that in the next five games if we can. And certainly going into next season, the support that they've given the group will be a big motivating factor in pre-season for the group to push on again.”

TWTD

tractorboybig added 16:30 - Apr 24 he is on a five year contract.........what else can he say?
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WestSussexBlue added 16:33 - Apr 24 Never has a club taken a step back with relegation imminent yet be in such a positive and progressive position. Kmc has again reiterated his commitment, there’s even hints that Delap could again be leading the line for Town next season. Both situations could change of course, the owners and Mark Ashton remain driven to establish Town as an established Premier League club. To do that we need stability and consistency, keeping Kmc would be essential to the long term plan.

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BotesdaleBlue added 16:37 - Apr 24 Our manager does put things into such brilliant context and sets just the right tone as he gets his messages across.
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cooper4england added 16:41 - Apr 24 Love him to stay but accept he may go. I worry more about Mark Ashton being poached.
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algarvefan added 17:23 - Apr 24 It would be madness to lose him now, I'm sure he and the players have learnt a lot this season and it would have been a huge ask for us to stay in the league given over 20 yeas absence from the top flight and progressing so quickly from League 1. We have many players to welcome back from injury next season and I hope we manage to keep our better players. It will be time for some to move on I'm sure but whatever happens I have managed to stick with the club for 60 years and I I'm not deserting them now.

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flykickingbybgunn added 17:50 - Apr 24 KMcK will be here, Delap will be here, Chappers will be here, Hutch will be here, etc, etc. Yes we will lose some. But the Champs teams better watch out. Town are back. And our opponents are not going to find it pleasant.
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TimmyH added 18:34 - Apr 24 Delap won't be here...not sure why why we're hearing this from posters all of a sudden, deluded!
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flykickingbybgunn added 19:01 - Apr 24 Timmy. You don't know. This is not of a sudden. Where have you been ? KMcK says it is not certain. Think positive. Renew your ticket if you have one. I am.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 19:05 - Apr 24 I doubt Delap will be with us, but I fervently hope Kieran will. It looks good atm, but a small part of me says nothing in football is certain. Having said that, I believe K is a man of his word, so I'm pretty optimistic.
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Leejames99 added 19:07 - Apr 24 Question - If Man City did get relegated in the summer or before but Leicester were above us at the end of the season, who stays up, Town as the other two are relegated now or whoever is 3rd bottom at the end of the season, it's a long shot but I hope we cement 3rd bottom just in case as Leicester only 3 behind, imagine that
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flykickingbybgunn added 19:20 - Apr 24 What a daft question. Nobody is relegated yet. You have to wait until the end of the season. Get a grip LJ. Concentrate on who is to be your new manager. Did you want Farty again ?
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Writtleblue added 20:07 - Apr 24 Contracts don't mean anything if the owners decide they want a change, as far as I'm concerned he can stay as long as he likes, the club wouldn't seem the same without him.
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Lightningboy added 20:08 - Apr 24 Have said it before...I hate our club being referred to as "a project". Modern coaches...jeeeeez.
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Leejames99 added 20:39 - Apr 24 Flyingkickgunbloke and Northstandvetran Any need for that pathetic response to a simple question Leicester and Saints are confirmed relegated as yet we are not, so it's a simple question. Are you that small minded. I have no idea what you on about with new manager farty? I'm not getting involved in the Mckenna debate it's pointless on here, he can literally do no wrong and the majority on here think he is the man to return Town to Prem and keep us there, George Hirst is the man to score us there, chappers will be pivotal, etc etc I'm over it, I don't buy into his nonsense or philosophy or his loyalty to players signed 4 seasons ago but he is currently manager of the club I support so let's see what he can do. I'm not worried because I have a feeling he thinks he and those players like Burns, Davis, Hirst, Morsy will do it again and I don't think they will, if he wants to keep his contract he needs to get this transfer window right, still making excuses of players not gelling etc. He has run out pf loyalty passes now, he will know that. I used to really like him but he is full of arrogance now, not a fan of the young managers especially at Prem level. He got a league 1 promotion, fluked a championship promotion, now has a relegation but a bucket load of money and talent he wanted. So no more fine margins, no more journeys or no doubt about that's. Its very simple out with some old, in with some new and have a squad where the subs are as good as the starting 11 and turn those 20 players into a squad that with more additions if promoted can stay up. We know the likes of Davis are good in Championship but we know they aren't good enough for Prem so no point keeping them. Don't bother replying to me wing pathetic nonsense.

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Leejames99 added 20:51 - Apr 24 Cunah going to Man Utd for 62.5 mill who has scored 14 and we think Delap going for 30, no chance
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TimmyH added 21:44 - Apr 24 flykicking...McK says it's not certain meaning not 100% but I'd say 95%, big clubs are looking at him, he'll go. In fact I'd bet my mortgage on it - I'm a realist not an optimist, I bet you were one of many who voted in the pre-season poll voting for us to end up in mid-table :)
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mflory1376 added 11:16 - Apr 25 Can we just see what happens over the summer, just be patient, we have fantastic support from our owners and Mark Ashton, personally I think kmac will be here and yes there will be ins and outs but these players have a lot of respect for kmac and the our club and us fans, so why can't we just do the same, these last 3 yrs have been a whirlwind and enjoyable except this season, looking forward to next season and im renewing my season ticket.

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Bert added 18:31 - Apr 25 Whilst I await hearing what our owners say in public, I do hope that those who bang on about our owners being overly concerned about our obvious relegation take note of what KMcK has to say about them. Additionally, is there a hint that Cajuste could stay if given that option. Nothing better than a full noisy stadium, something which Cajuste suggests he is taken with.
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RobsonWark added 21:59 - Apr 25 Timmy I don't agree with you on Kieran leaving the club in the summer. He has a lovely house in a nice part of Ipswich with easy access to Portman Road and Playford Road. His children are probably enrolled at Ipswich High School. He is earning £100k or £120k a week (depending on which newspaper you read). I think it was reported that he was the 6th highest paid manager in the Premier League. He has a project at Ipswich with the full support of Mark Ashton and the owners and investors. Everything he has asked for Mark Ashton has delivered. The new training facilities being built at Playford Road is another show of support for him. It takes time to build a great team - not something you can put together overnight (especially with 13 new signings at the start of the season), Why would he give all this up to go to a Premiership club with the possibility of being sacked if he didn't produce the goods by Christmas. And how many clubs are going to better his wages that he has here? Chelsea could, Man Utd could but these clubs would want instant results. Remember him singing in the changing room after promotion "I found a love, for me"?. This is Kieran's club. He'll be here for a few years to come. Please do not bet your mortgage on him leaving in the summer!!

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