Ipswich Town ‘to appoint’ Gary O’Neil after McKenna exit | OneFootball

Ipswich Town are closing in on appointing Gary O’Neil after Kieran McKenna’s exit, a development that would shape a key Leeds United rival in 2026/27.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported progress in talks, while Fabrizio Romano said an agreement on terms is in place and only formalities remain.

McKenna stepped down earlier this month, saying he would take a break from football, leaving Portman Road without a head coach at the start of a pivotal summer.

Ipswich sealed automatic promotion last season by finishing second, behind Coventry City, their third rise in four years under McKenna. They are expected to be among early relegation candidates and will return to the top flight without their popular boss after struggling during their 2024/25 relegation.

O’Neil has managed RC Strasbourg since January, taking over after Liam Rosenior left for Chelsea, with both clubs owned by American consortium BlueCo. Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 and lost in the Europa Conference League semi-finals.

The 43-year-old previously kept Bournemouth up in 2022/23 before being replaced by Andoni Iraola. He guided Wolves to 14th in 2023/24 and was dismissed the following December, soon after a defeat to Ipswich.

If appointed soon, O’Neil would have months to imprint his style before Ipswich visit Elland Road on December 5. Leeds go to Portman Road on May 1, the fifth to last league game for both.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk