Ipswich Town are now eyeing a move for an “exceptional” manager, with Kieran McKenna stepping down on Wednesday.
McKenna explains decision to resign as Ipswich manager
Despite having another campaign in the Premier League to look forward to, McKenna has decided to call time on his five-year stint as Ipswich manager, in order to spend more time with his family.
Explaining his decision, the two-time Championship promotion-winner said: “When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye.
“However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of this club.
“After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.”
Having taken the Tractor Boys from League One all the way to the Premier League, McKenna will be remembered fondly at Portman Road, and chairman Mark Ashton is now tasked with finding a worthy successor.
Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neil has emerged as an early candidate for the role, but he is not the only option, with a former Premier League boss also in the frame.
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Ipswich eyeing move for “exceptional” McKenna heir
According to journalist Ben Jacobs on X, Liam Rosenior is “another name appreciated” by the Ipswich hierarchy, with the ex-Chelsea manager available after being dismissed by the Blues in April.
The Englishman lasted just 23 games in charge of the west London club, and lost his job following a run of five Premier League defeats, during which time his side didn’t score a single goal.
Under Rosenior, Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League at the round of 16 stage, with eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain chalking up an 8-2 victory on aggregate.
However, the 41-year-old, who prefers to utilise a 4-2-3-1 formation, has experienced some success in his other roles, guiding RC Strasbourg to Europa Conference League qualification.
|
Liam Rosenior’s managerial record |
Games |
Points per game |
|
Chelsea |
23 |
1.52 |
|
RC Strasbourg |
63 |
1.75 |
|
Hull City |
78 |
1.40 |
|
Derby County |
12 |
1.92 |
European football expert Andy Brassell has waxed lyrical about the former Strasbourg boss too, saying: “What we have seen since Rosenior has been at Strasbourg is that he is not just an intelligent, engaging guy in front of the cameras.
“He’s an exceptional coach and developer of players. And we saw that with Diego Moreira, who was formerly at Chelsea, who has really been transformed under Rosenior.”
That said, with Rosenior yet to experience any success in the Premier League, he would be a risky appointment for Ipswich.
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