We find out the current favourites to become new Ipswich Town manager as Kieran McKenna gives a tearful farewell to the club.
As per Lyall Thomas, McKenna “won’t be joining Fulham”, but he added that “more updates are expected on his future in due course”.
David Ornstein meanwhile said McKenna is to “take time away from management and Ipswich are protected financially if/when makes return with contingency planning already started and now accelerates”.
At 7pm on Wednesday, Alex Crook tweeted that Gary O’Neil was expected to be among the names of potential Kieran McKenna replacements with Liam Rosenior also admired previously by the Ipswich hierarchy.
FAVOURITES TO BEOCME NEW IPSWICH MANAGER:
BetVictor – 11am – June 11th
Gary O’Neil – 1/2
Liam Rosenior – 4/1
Ole Gunnar Solksjaer – 4/1
Kim Hellberg – 8/1
From Kieran to the Ipswich Town family. 💙 pic.twitter.com/bFjQvPKgt0
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) June 10, 2026
Kieran McKenna makes decision to step down as Ipswich manager after five seasons at the club
In a video message, Kieran McKenna said: “Hi. I just wanted to speak directly to all the supporters and everyone involved with Ipswich Town to let you know that I’ve made the really difficult, really emotional decision to step down from the honour of leading this incredible football club.
“It’s been an amazing four and a half seasons. Now it’s been an incredible journey. We’ve lived some of the best experiences of my professional life and some of the best experiences in my personal life as well.
“It’s been an honour and a privilege, course, three promotions and all those things, but honestly, every single day it’s been an honour to represent this football club and I’ve done it in the best way that I possibly could.
“Of course, there’s never a good time to say goodbye, especially when you’ve built the connection that we have at this football club.
“There’s no good time to leave, I don’t believe. And that’s why this decision is a difficult one. But all I can say is I’ve reflected on it um quite a lot over last period.
“I’ve spoken with the club over the last couple of weeks as well and it just feels like the right time for myself and for my family and for the football club as we finish one chapter with another incredible promotion and celebration at Portman Road and in the town and embark now on an exciting season and a brilliant future for the club. It just feels like the right time.
“So it’s a few things I’d like to say. It’s of course some massive thank yous.
“First and foremost, uh a big thank you to the board led by Mark Ashton for giving me the opportunity at 35 years old, was a really big decision from them to appoint a manager so young to a club this big.
“And I’ll be forever grateful for that and for the support and trust that they’ve put in me ever since. And I’ve tried to repair that in every way.
“Of course, to the staff. Martin and Charlie. But to the brilliant coaching staff who have been with me, to all the wonderful staff at Portman Road, to the staff at Playford Road who do a fantastic job and have been behind me and the players every day, a big, thank you. Of course, to the players who we all love and depend on. Yeah, we’ve had some amazing players here. I look forward to catching up with so many of them now. And the commitment and the dedication they’ve shown to me and shown to us as a club is something that I’m so, grateful for.
“And I think most importantly to the supporters from the minute that I came to this club and to this area with my family, you’ve taken me to your hearts. We’ve become part of the community and yeah, it’s been an incredible journey. We’ve shared experiences that will live with me forever, will live with me for a lifetime.
“Yeah, we’ve been through some highs and some lows, but for sure a lot more highs and yeah, we’ve enjoyed a really special relationship and I appreciate the support that you’ve given me and you know, I’ll be forever grateful for that. I have a lot of optimism and belief that the future of this club is a really bright one.
“And then it’s just for me to say thank you again. It’s time now for me to take a break. I’ve given everything to this role for a lot of seasons now and a lot of years.
“My family have been with me and supported me every step of the way, not just here, but over many, many, many years now. So I really look forward to taking some time with them, a chance to enjoy and reflect on the brilliant experiences that we’ve had and then to really look forward to the future as well.
“So that’s what’s next for me. I look forward to following the club’s progress and Ipswich Town will always have a really special place in my heart now and in the heart of my family. So all the best and up the Town.”
This is how fans reacted as the favourites to become new Ipswich manager as Kieran McKenna gives a tearful farewell…
@g_neller: If this is the calibre of manager we’re looking at then we may as well go down now. What a monumental downgrade either of those would be #itfc
@itfc_louis2: O’Neil 😂 can’t be serious can we ?
@h__g5483a: If could hand pick anyone, it be Glasner (not happening). Realistically, Rosenior makes sense. was my first choice if KM ever left before we saw Chelsea stinker. knows the club, and you’d think he might be able to tempt Delap to come too. #ITFC Can’t judge anyone off the CFC job
@norwich_updates: Mark Ashton going for another ex-#NCFC player 😂 To the surprise of absolutely no-one…
@NW1Stephen: tbf we dont need a project manager like KM we need a manager for a job keep us up like fulham bournemouth and wolves and brighton we can look at that when the job is done, a solid counter attack football manager i think will suit take you pick.
@h__g5483a: Season ticket is getting launched into the sea in mablethorpe if we are serious about O’Neil
@DGDCampbell: Every time this man appeared on TV, I was proud that the watching world would see the caption “Ipswich Town manager”. Hopefully #itfc will go on to appoint even greater bosses in our club’s future. But I believe we will struggle to appoint better human beings. KM, thank you. 💙
@Owen_itfc: The fucking sadness in his voice 🥹, we love you Kieran, once a blue… 🚜
@joshitfc98: Ah the sadness in his voice towards the end man 😭
@RossWishart: I’m ok with Rosenior & Nuno, would love to convince Thomas Frank but one thing is for certain is that I won’t doubt the judgement of this club. I remember feeling somewhat underwhelmed when McKenna joined, how wrong was I. In #itfc we trust.
@tractor_welsh: Completely heartbroken listening to the emotion in Kierans voice. I just hope he sees & reads all these messages & knows how loved he is & how grateful all Town fans are for what he has done for this club, town & county. We were so blessed to have him as our manager. 🚜🏴💙⚽️
@piratesmurf24: Can hear how hard this was for him struggling to hold back the tears. God love him 💙
@ash_williams_87: Thank you KMc. Fighting back the tears with you. Wish you all the best. Portman Road will always welcome you home
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