Kieran McKenna steps down after five seasons as Town boss
Club says he has made the "decision to take time away from football management"
In a statement, McKenna says he is "looking forward" to dedicating time to his family
It comes as Town returns to the Premier League for the new season in August
Town chairman Mark Ashton says: "The job Kieran has done at this football club over the last five years is simply incredible"
BBC Radio Suffolk commentator Brenner Woolley says the club likely has a list of replacements
Image source, PA MediaThank you for following along and sharing your memories and tributes about Kieran McKenna.
That's it for our live coverage, but you can read the full story here.
You can also listen back to the reaction on BBC Radio Suffolk.
Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor
Following Kieran McKenna's departure, BBC Suffolk understands that Ipswich Town will not be making any further announcement on the managerial situation this week.
Image source, PA MediaLeif Davis, who plays left-back for Ipswich Town, has in the last hour released a statement on his social media in honour of Kieran McKenna.
"Having the trust and belief in me to bring me to this club, to let me achieve my childhood dream with this incredible club, I can’t thank you enough.
"Everything we have achieved as a team and as a club will stay with me for a lifetime. Thank you boss."
Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
It's been quite emotional here at BBC Suffolk covering the departure of Kieran McKenna.
From working around the town and covering the recent promotions, it has always been clear to me how cherished McKenna is and what a stable manager he was.
No replacement has been confirmed by the club, but as the fans have said, they clearly have big shoes to fill.
We all hope McKenna gets the rest he deserves and some time to make memories with his family as Town gears up for the Premier League once again
Uppa Towen!
Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk commentator
Like a lot of fans, I'm feeling a mixture of emotions now that the adrenaline of last night is wearing off.
While genuinely sad that Kieran McKenna's phenomenally successful time at Ipswich Town has come to a sudden end, on a human level, I'm also really pleased for him that he's made this huge decision.
After pouring his heart and soul into the role for the past four and a half years, he's done what's right for him and his family. That has to be applauded and respected.
He deserves every accolade that comes his way, whether that be for his achievements on the pitch or for the way in which he's conducted himself under extraordinary pressure at times.
Having come across many different characters during my 23 seasons of commentating on Town, I can honestly say he's been an absolute dream to deal with, a class act - very humble, respectful and understanding of our role in the media.
Image source, PA MediaWe have heard a lot today from Ipswich Town fans about what Kieran McKenna gave to the club during his managerial career. But what did Town give McKenna?
Prior to coming to Town, he had been working at Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
He left a first-team coaching position up there to take over as manager at Ipswich when he was just 35.
Many fans were nervous at his arrival, but they soon were given hope as he chased them toward a promotion up into the Championship.
The rest was then history.
McKenna himself, in his leaving statement, says Town gave him opportunities and that the board put their "unwavering support and trust" in him.
Talking about the fans, he adds: "I will be forever grateful for the way that you welcomed me and my family, both to the football club and to the county of Suffolk.
"I will cherish the memories that we have shared together for the rest of my life. Ipswich Town will always have a special place in our hearts.”
BBC Radio Suffolk's sports editor, Graeme McLoughlin, has given his highlights from Kieran McKenna's career at Ipswich Town.
"If we're talking about football matches, I could be here talking about Kieran McKenna Ipswich highlights all day," he tells colleague Sarah Lilley.
"Especially when you think back to that double promotion winning campaign when it felt like every game was a real event and supporters were really getting value for their matchday ticket."
He adds Portman Road has felt "alive again" in recent years, down to McKenna and his players.
"But for me, if I have to pick a highlight, it's the human side of him," he continues.
"Win, lose or draw, always very measured. No sign of ego or being big time when we'd speak to him before, after and during the press conference.
"A really good person in a high-pressure role that would put his players, the club and its supporters first always."
Image source, PA MediaCould we see football and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard at Ipswich Town?
"He is high up on the [bookmaker's] list as well," Graeme McLoughlin, BBC Radio Suffolk's sports editor says.
"A Premier League legend looking to reignite his managerial career.
"He's enjoyed being back in the north west though, close to his home in Liverpool so he would have to move."
BBC Radio Suffolk's sports editor, Graeme McLoughlin, says that most of the bookmakers' favourite to replace Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town is Thomas Frank.
"The Danish manager did wonders at Brentford, he knows how to get out of the Championship and stay in the Premier League, which I guess is one thing Kieran McKenna hasn't achieved yet in his career," he says.
"After what happened to Thomas Frank at Tottenham this season though, when he didn't last the full campaign, he, like Kieran, has recently said he's taking a break from football, so in some ways it's a surprise that he's the favourite."
Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk commentator
In terms of Kieran McKenna's successor at Ipswich Town, I would imagine the club already has a list of potential replacements in place, given they'll have been planning for interest in McKenna over the summer.
There will also be numerous others interested in what's a very attractive role now that a vacancy has arisen.
When it comes to a timescale, the club will be keen to strike the correct balance between finding the right person, but also acting fairly quickly, with a huge summer on the horizon as they prepare for their top-flight return. They can't afford to take too long.
Unlike when Kieran was appointed, I would be really surprised if they go for someone with no previous managerial experience. That was League One, this is the Premier League.
There's a fair chance they might even whittle down their shortlist to candidates who've managed at the highest level.
Whoever it is, they will have massive shoes to fill, although they will do so with the club in a far better position, in every imaginable way, than when McKenna arrived in December 2021.
Yes, it really was less than five years ago.
Ipswich Town fan Gemma tells BBC Radio Suffolk' she can remember Kieran McKenna's first match at Ipswich Town back in 2021 when there was "apprehension in the air".
"He was someone we knew not too much about," she says.
"People were concerned, but by the end of that first match, there was hope, something we'd not had for a long time.
"His first full season - I remember that February game where everyone said there was no way we could get automatic promotion and it would be playoffs at best.
"But Kieran ignored those comments and got us promoted.
"He'll be remembered for bringing our club back to life, for doing the double over Norwich and for putting smiles back on all our faces.
"He will be very, very, very missed by the thousands, and whoever takes over has big shoes to fill."
Graeme McLoughlin continues by saying that Kieran McKenna has been "superb" in his job as manager at Ipswich Town, as well as "just as a human being".
"I'm also pleased for him for acknowledging this is the right time, and I really hope he enjoys this time out," he says.
McLoughlin adds that McKenna had "turned an oil tanker around" in terms of how far he took the club.
"He did it in double quick time - [his] second match away at Gillingham, a 4-0 win," he continues.
"Some people were saying build a statue [of him] then, not thinking about what might possibly happen those few seasons down the line.
"To say he's brought good times back to Ipswich Town is a huge understatement."
BBC Radio Suffolk's sports editor, Graeme McLoughlin, tells Sarah Lilley on her show that the news of Kieran McKenna leaving Ipswich Town dropped while he was enjoying dinner last night.
"It's always a surprise when these things happen because you don't really get a lot of steer," he tells her.
"That initial phone call and then you see it online always comes as a shock, but in some ways it really isn't a huge surprise.
"Although supporters might not like hearing this, it feels like a natural parting of ways as a guy who has given absolutely everything to this role for four-and-a-half years.
"We spoke to him on the final day of the season; he is spent, he is exhausted, he needs a break.
"He might feel as if he has taken the club as far as he can take it."
Phil Ham, editor of independent Ipswich Town website TWTD, who spoke with BBC Look East last night immediately after the news, is back with us again and speaking with BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin.
He says initially, he could not believe the news of Kieran McKenna's departure from the football club.
"I think it's a remarkable legacy behind Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey," he says of McKenna.
"You've got George Burley and Kieran McKenna, which you'd put as the third [best] and is probably one people will debate... It's been a remarkable four-and-a-half years and an extraordinary period, having come after 20 years where Town had done very little.
"A true hero of the club, and I'm sure at some point there will be part of Portman Road named after him."
As mentioned by many in the football world, Kieran McKenna has been one of Ipswich Town's most successful managers.
Here is a look at his career in stats:
Image source, PA MediaMcKenna was thrown into the air by his players during celebrations for their promotion up to the Championship back in 2023
Fancy a walk down memory lane with us to see some of Kieran McKenna's best moments at Ipswich Town?
Take a look at these photos.
Image source, PA MediaMcKenna celebrated his successful promotion to the Championship in 2023
Image source, ReutersFans were elated when Town was then promoted up to the Premier League in 2024
Image source, PA MediaMcKenna took time to celebrate with the fans in 2024
Image source, PA MediaThe 2024 Premier League promotion parade in Ipswich brought in thousands of fans
Image source, PA MediaWho can forget when Ipswich Town took the double derby win against Norwich City during last season's Championship
Image source, PA MediaMore recently, Town celebrated another promotion back up to the Premier League
Image source, PA MediaIpswich Town, in its post announcing Kieran McKenna's departure as manager, said he had a "fierce dedication and unmatched work ethic".
"He leaves Portman Road following the second of those promotions to the top-flight, which once again sparked joyous scenes of celebration and highlighted a connection between the club and its supporters which has grown significantly during his five years in charge," the club said.
They added: "Having managed 222 Town games, Kieran leaves his role having won 105, with his sides scoring nearly 400 goals during this period.
"Many of these games and goals will live with supporters for the rest of their lives.
"All at Ipswich Town are extremely grateful for Kieran’s hard work and dedication during his time as manager and wish both him and his family the very best for the future."
Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk
Well, it has been quite an emotional morning here in Ipswich.
If you are only just joining us and did not see the news last night, Ipswich Town's manager, Kieran McKenna, has announced he is leaving the club.
The fans are understandably shocked, but the level of gratitude being expressed is incredible.
Here is a quick recap of what you might have missed:
Image source, ContributedHarrison Mayhew-Kemp (second from right) says Ipswich Town changed his life
Harrison Mayhew-Kemp, 22, volunteers at Ipswich Town Football Club Foundation's disability football programme and says the club changed his life.
He says the news of Kieran McKenna's leaving is "very sad".
"McKenna will always be remembered fondly by me," he says. "With him, I saw wonderful things that I never thought I would.
"Always a legend. I have great faith in Ashton, that he will bring the right person in to take us forward though.
"This club is going in the right direction."
Finbow continues: "When is a good time to leave?
"Arguably, is now a good time for him to go? He's going out with everyone's best wishes, and in terms of the position of the club, financially we're in a great position where a new a manager is going to come in with as much of a clean slate as you're ever going to have."
