Kieran McKenna rejects offers and commits to a new deal as the manager of Ipswich 2024
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Kieran McKenna rejects offers
Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich, has recently put pen to paper on a new contract, ensuring he will be at the helm of the Premier League newcomers for the next season, despite being sought after by Brighton, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
After guiding Ipswich to two consecutive promotions, including a stunning leap from the Championship, McKenna has emerged as a highly coveted manager in the football scene. With his new status, he is now among the highest-paid managers in England, receiving substantial backing as Ipswich readies for their first top-flight season in almost 20 years.
Brighton had high hopes of bringing in McKenna to take over from De Zerbi, but it didn’t pan out. Chelsea also gave serious thought to him for their empty spot, but Maresca is expected to fill it soon. United has him on their radar as a possible replacement for ten Hag if he decides to leave.
With a new contract in place until 2028, McKenna couldn’t be happier. He proudly announced his commitment to the club, highlighting the incredible success they’ve achieved together over the past two seasons. Now, he eagerly embraces the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its long-awaited return to the Premier League after 22 years.
Ipswich was optimistic about keeping McKenna, even with Chelsea and Brighton in the picture. However, things got uncertain enough for Ed Schwartz from ORG to come from the US for talks with McKenna and Mark Ashton. The terms of the new deal were discussed, and McKenna seems to have made his decision over the weekend to stay in Suffolk long-term.
Ipswich has scored a major victory by retaining the 38-year-old. They promoted him to his first senior position in December 2021, which is a significant achievement. McKenna previously served as an assistant coach at United, and if he had received an offer from Old Trafford this summer, Ipswich would have faced a more challenging situation.
With deep-pocketed owners supporting them, they don’t plan on just scraping by to return to the elite level. They’ll have to adhere to financial and sustainability regulations, which might be challenging next season as they evaluate their financial performance in the Championship and League One. Nevertheless, McKenna has the opportunity to strengthen key areas of his team.
A top priority for him is to secure a permanent transfer for Chelsea forward Omari Hutchinson, who was crucial during his loan spell in their journey to the top league and is now expected to depart Stamford Bridge. Ipswich are moving quickly to seal a deal worth up to £20m, although they are facing tough competition from Stuttgart and others, and might need to wait for Maresca to assess his options. Chelsea have extended Hutchinson’s contract until 2026, but it’s unlikely to affect his future plans.
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