Kieran McKenna was announced as the new manager of Ipswich Town Football Club on 16 December 2021.
McKenna officially managed his first game in charge of the Tractor Boys in the club’s 1-0 win over Sky Bet League One opponent Wycombe Wanderers at Portman Road. Although forced to retire from football at an early age due to a long-term injury, McKenna immediately began coaching in the Tottenham Hotspur Academy, where he spent seven years (2002-09) as an Academy product.
While coaching with Tottenham, he helped guide the Spurs U18 squad to the semi-final of the 2015 FA Youth Cup. In 2016, McKenna moved to Manchester United, where he was named U18’s manager, guiding the Red Devils to the Premier North Division title in just his second season in charge. In July 2018, McKenna was named an assistant manager under former Manchester United manager José Mourinho, and continued his role on staff when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was appointed caretaker manager and eventual manager of the Premier League club.
Manager Kieran McKenna spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday evening’s fixtures…
On Ipswich Town’s win over the weekend against Gillingham:
“It definitely wasn’t our best performance. It was a tough game. We had a feeling all week it was going to be a tough game, and I know from perception from outside the group – on the run that we have been on, and the run [Gillingham] have been on – that maybe we would have been in for a comfortable game, but we never thought that.
“I never had the feeling all week that it was going to be a pretty one or convincing one. The three points is the most important thing. We’ll be happy with that and move on to Tuesday.”
On the squad’s physical condition preparing for the quick Tuesday turnaround:
“I think it’s the first week in a very, very long time where we have everybody available. We had a really hard training week, but everyone came through it well. So, I think physically we’re getting better - getting to a better level of robustness. That’ll hopefully carry us well going forward the rest of the season, and for the next few years.
“We have good bodies on the bench. We have good players that weren’t in the squad today. So, I’m sure whatever team we pick for Doncaster [Rovers] will be wiling and ready to go in order to fight for the three points.”