Mark Ashton and Kieran McKenna speak on news that the Manager has penned a new four-year deal to stay at Portman Road.
The 38 year old has agreed to extend his stay after leading the Tractorboys to the Premier League.
Despite being linked with the managerial position at Brighton, Man Utd and being considered by Chelsea as a potential successor to Mauricio Pochettino, McKenna has since stayed on with his current club.
Scroll on to watch a video of him and Mark speaking about the new extended deal…
We are delighted to announce that Manager Kieran McKenna has signed a new long-term contract at Portman Road.
— I(P)SWICH TOWN (@IpswichTown) May 30, 2024
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CLUB STATEMENT:
Ipswich Town is delighted to announce that Manager Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year contract with the Club.
The Blues boss, who has led Town to back-to-back promotions, taking the Club to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, has penned an improved and extended deal until the summer of 2028.
The new deal comes following a season which saw Town top the Championship goalscoring charts and suffer only six defeats on the way to automatic promotion, with a total of 194 points gained and 193 goals scored across the last two league campaigns.
Assistant Manager Martyn Pert, First-Team Coaches Charlie Turnbull and Lee Grant and Head of Goalkeeping Rene Gilmartin have also extended their contracts.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Kieran said: “I am extremely proud to have signed a new contract with the Club.
“We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I’m excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic Club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years.
“Preparation and planning for the challenge ahead has been ongoing since we won promotion at the beginning of May, with plenty of work still to do before the start of the new season at what is such an exciting time for everyone at the Club.
“I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and am really excited for what’s ahead as we continue this journey together.”
Town CEO, Mark Ashton said: “We are delighted Kieran has further committed his future to the Club.
“Success brings its own challenges and there has been considerable speculation in recent weeks, but Kieran and I have continued to communicate throughout, often several times a day, as we plan for the Club’s first Premier League season in a generation.
“For Kieran to have signed a new contract is a significant boost, heading into such an important campaign, as we continue the hard work in preparation for the coming season.”
This is what fans are saying as Mark Ashton and Kieran McKenna speak on news that the Manager has penned a new four-year deal…
@millsie1987: Delighted for #ITFC fans, coming up is an exciting time and difficult enough – they shouldn’t have to face losing their manager who has done such a great job to get them there. Hope they stay up 👍
@mark_jubb: Another Mark Ashton masterclass. Right decision in my opinion, build your brand with Ipswich, this manager is going places. #ITFC 🚜🔵⚪️
@jamesechase: Very well played, Town and Kieran. Let’s do this! 🩵 #itfc
@Englishscott: #itfc #Ipswichtown of all the signings that will take place over the next few months in the Premier league I think Kieran Mckenna committing to stay is potentially the most important. Come on you blues… Let the good times roll ❤️
@matthewrattle98: Makes a lot of this fan base look stupid, like Ashton said don’t believe anything until it comes from the club #itfc
@_afootball: This already shows how far McKenna will go—he’s realised the job he has, he’s realised the connection between him and the club/fans, he’s built a dynasty He won’t be forced into taking jobs that he isn’t ready for—Manchester United 26/27, he’ll be their 🔴🧠 #MUF #ITFC
@motbischoff: #ITFC summer recruitment plan continues! Hopefully will get it out in the next week or so! Buzzing Kieran is staying 😀
@u2itfc: Without doubt, the signing of the Summer! The Premier League will be a huge challenge for #itfc but we can have no better two men at the helm than these two. With Ashton and McKenna we move forward with confidence.
@tonybtp20: I can’t wait for everyone who was hating on him last week to apologise. Let’s just hope that they all back the manager whatever happens next season, but I doubt it! #itfc
@james832202: Feels like a new signing #itfc We’ve got Super Kieran McKenna, He knows exactly what we need!
@josh_weeks15: By far THE best bit of business we’ll do this summer. #itfc
@mithITFC: Thank god all this McKenna malarkey is over. Can actually enjoy the summer now, fucking bring on the prem #itfc 🚜
@Sammydwills: Delighted we’ve retained the best manager in the country but a bittersweet last 2/3 weeks. A needed wake up call for #itfc fans (myself included), success is great but helps our assets to the next steps in their careers, let’s hope the instability hasn’t hindered any transfers 👊🏻
@GeorgeHogg93: Thank god. But I’m sure Kieran McKenna will manage a bigger club soon. Well done Ipswich, fair play there #itfc
@TheBrightonBard: LOYALTY 💙 Great to see and I’m very happy for all @IpswichTown supporters. After your amazing journey it wouldn’t have been right if he hadn’t been at the wheel for your return to the PL. It’s a great footballing story. See you next season. 👍🏻 #itfc
@Martyn1988: Imagine if Netflix had of been granted permission to follow our journey over the last 2 years… If this was a film, people would say it’s too far fetched. As if the back-to-back promotions wasn’t mental enough, but we’ve managed to keep the jewel in our crown. Mental. #itfc
Live scenes from Portman Road 🤩 #ITFC https://t.co/43w4NXCyzP pic.twitter.com/4wbEFQvl6h
— TheTractorBoys (@TheTractorBoys_) May 30, 2024
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