What Kieran McKenna said when he was first appointed at Ipswich Town - It has been some journey | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna's first press conference as Ipswich Town manager in December 2021 revealed a measured, business-like approach.

Kieran McKenna's first press conference as Ipswich Town manager in December 2021 revealed a measured, business-like approach that transformed the club with back-to-back promotions to the Premier League.

The transformation McKenna has overseen at Ipswich Town is still nothing short of extraordinary, regardless of relegation. Taking over a mid-table League One side in December 2021, he guided them to promotion to the Championship in his first full season before incredibly securing back-to-back promotions to return Ipswich to the Premier League after a 22-year absence.

Prior to Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League, the club demonstrated its belief in McKenna's long-term vision by securing his services with a four-year contract in May 2024. This commitment brought immense relief to supporters who feared losing their managerial talisman to bigger clubs.

Kieran McKenna's first words set the tone for Ipswich Town revolution

McKenna made no bold declarations about making up the 10-point gap to the League One play-off places at the time, showing a sensible outlook while still refusing to write off the season. This measured approach would become a hallmark of his management style, focusing on incremental improvement rather than unrealistic targets.

“I’d like to thank Mark Ashton and the owners for putting their faith in me and Martyn to take the Club forward,” Kieran told Blues' website.

"Leaving a club like Manchester United was obviously a difficult decision, but I strongly believe in the opportunity to build something here.

"It feels like the right time, project and Club to make my first step into first-team management.

"For now, the focus for the team has to be on a huge game on Saturday. After that, I cannot wait to meet everyone and get to work."

When Kieran McKenna first addressed the media as Ipswich Town manager, the contrast with his predecessor Paul Cook couldn't have been more striking.

While Cook had arrived 20 minutes late to his first press conference in training gear and a bobble hat, McKenna appeared promptly in a full suit with a blue-and-white tie, setting an immediate tone of professionalism and attention to detail.

The philosophy that drove unprecedented success for McKenna and the Tractor Boys

Players have consistently praised McKenna's coaching ability and attention to detail. Left-back Leif Davis, who joined from Leeds United, credited the manager with completely transforming his game, "From day one when I walked in the door he told me he'd help me to improve my game, and he has done massively, going forward and defensively," Davis told Sky Sports.

The technical improvement of individual players under McKenna's guidance has been remarkable. Davis, the 2023/2024 Championship's top assister with 18 goals created from left-back, admitted: "I didn't think I had that quality in the final third, it definitely wasn't my strongest point, but now I'd say it is". Although relegated, player development has been a crucial factor in Ipswich's rapid rise through the divisions, and they’ll be hoping to bounce straight back up.

During the club's open-top bus parade celebrating their promotion, McKenna described the feeling as "incredible" and praised everyone involved with the club: "I think it's more than anyone could have imagined...I think the whole town deserve it, the players deserve it for how they've worked this year, last year, the club deserve it and the supporters definitely deserve it".