adminIpswich Town handed major boost as Brentford make crucial managerial decision
Ipswich Town are gearing up for life back in the Championship following their brief but spirited stint in the Premier League.
Under the guidance of Kieran McKenna, the Tractor Boys have enjoyed a remarkable rise, climbing from League One to the top flight in just a few seasons.
The 39-year-old manager has rightly earned a reputation as one of the brightest managerial talents in English football — making him a natural candidate for any high-profile vacancy.
Given Ipswich’s ambitions to bounce straight back to the Premier League, the prospect of losing McKenna this summer would have been a devastating blow. Fortunately for the Suffolk side, a potentially unsettling twist in their summer narrative has been avoided.
Brentford’s decision brings welcome relief to Portman Road
When Tottenham Hotspur announced the appointment of Thomas Frank as their new manager earlier this summer, attention swiftly turned to McKenna as a potential replacement at Brentford.
The suggestion that he might be on the Bees’ radar caused considerable concern among Ipswich fans, who feared they could lose their talismanic boss just as they prepared for a new Championship campaign.
With an impressive record of 81 wins in 173 matches and an average of 1.68 points per game (via Transfermarkt), McKenna’s track record speaks for itself. A Premier League return with another club could have been a tempting next step.
But Brentford opted for a different route, promoting former set-piece coach Keith Andrews to the top job. That decision has spared Ipswich from what would have been a major managerial upheaval and given the club much-needed stability as they plot their next move.
McKenna remains focused despite summer exits
While McKenna’s future is now secure — at least for the time being — he still faces a busy summer. Key players such as Cameron Burgess, Axel Tuanzebe, Marcus Harness, and Liam Delap have all departed Portman Road, leaving gaps to fill ahead of a demanding Championship campaign.
However, there remains plenty of quality in the squad. Goalkeeper Alex Palmer offers a reliable presence between the sticks, while defenders Leif Davis, Jacob Greaves, and Dara O’Shea bring proven Championship experience.
In attack, the likes of Sammie Szmodics, Jack Clarke, Nathan Broadhead, and Jaden Philogene offer plenty of firepower.
McKenna has already shown he knows what it takes to guide Ipswich out of the Championship — doing so last time without the cushion of parachute payments.
His high-energy, attacking style made Ipswich one of the standout teams of the 2023/24 season, and supporters will be hoping for more of the same this time around.
Eyes on promotion — with the right man still at the helm
McKenna is not just admired — he’s idolised by the Ipswich faithful. Losing him would have created a cloud of uncertainty at a crucial point in their rebuild. But Brentford’s internal appointment has ensured that nightmare scenario won’t materialise.
Now, Ipswich can focus entirely on their promotion push — with McKenna leading the charge. Whether they can secure a Premier League return at the first attempt remains to be seen, but keeping their manager in place has already given them a significant head start.
Key players such as Cameron Burgess, Axel Tuanzebe, Marcus Harness, and Liam Delap have all departed Portman Road, leaving gaps to fill ahead of a demanding Championship campaign.
However, there remains plenty of quality in the squad. Goalkeeper Alex Palmer offers a reliable presence between the sticks, while defenders Leif Davis, Jacob Greaves, and Dara O’Shea bring proven Championship experience. In attack, the likes of Sammie Szmodics, Jack Clarke, Nathan Broadhead, and Jaden Philogene offer plenty of firepower.
McKenna has already shown he knows what it takes to guide Ipswich out of the Championship — doing so last time without the cushion of parachute payments. His high-energy, attacking style made Ipswich one of the standout teams of the 2023/24 season, and supporters will be hoping for more of the same this time around.
Eyes on promotion — with the right man still at the helm
McKenna is not just admired — he’s idolised by the Ipswich faithful. Losing him would have created a cloud of uncertainty at a crucial point in their rebuild. But Brentford’s internal appointment has ensured that nightmare scenario won’t materialise.
Now, Ipswich can focus entirely on their promotion push — with McKenna leading the charge. Whether they can secure a Premier League return at the first attempt remains to be seen, but keeping their manager in place has already given them a significant head start.
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