Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has signed a new four-year contract, committing to lead the newly promoted Premier League side into the next season despite significant interest from Brighton, Chelsea, and Manchester United.
McKenna, who has guided Ipswich to consecutive promotions, becomes one of the highest-paid managers in England and will receive substantial backing as the club prepares for its first top-flight campaign since 2001-02.
The decision ends a period of intense speculation, with Brighton at one point confident of securing McKenna to replace Roberto De Zerbi, and Chelsea seriously considering him for their vacant managerial position, which Enzo Maresca is expected to fill. Manchester United had also listed McKenna as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag.
McKenna, whose new contract runs until 2028, expressed his pride and excitement: “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.”
Ipswich was determined to retain McKenna, with Ed Schwartz, head of majority shareholder ORG, flying in for talks last Friday. The terms of the new deal were agreed upon, and McKenna decided over the weekend that his long-term future lies with Ipswich.
Retaining McKenna is a significant achievement for Ipswich, who appointed him to his first senior managerial position in December 2021. McKenna had been an assistant coach at Manchester United prior to his role at Ipswich. Ipswich’s deep-pocketed owners are committed to ensuring the club does not merely make up the numbers upon their return to the elite.
One of McKenna’s priorities is securing a permanent move for Chelsea forward Omari Hutchinson, who was instrumental as a loanee during Ipswich’s ascent to the Premier League.
The club is looking to finalize a deal worth up to £20 million, though they face competition from Bundesliga side Stuttgart and must wait for Maresca’s assessment of Chelsea’s squad.
