Image source, Contributed

Craig Finbow from the Blue Monday podcast says it came as a "shock" to him to learn of Kieran McKenna leaving Ipswich Town.

He says on Wednesday, it had been a "relief" to hear McKenna was not moving to Fulham, but 30 minutes later, the news of his leaving dropped.

"You sort of got over the shock and then that interview [on Town TV]... you could hear the emotion in his voice, he was breaking pretty much from the start to the finish," he tells BBC Suffolk's Wayne Bavin.

BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin is continuing to bring reaction to the news of Kieran McKenna stepping down from Ipswich Town and says it feels strange to call him a "former manager".

After listening to a clip of McKenna announcing his departure, Bavin says he is "welling up".

"No bravado, no 'Look what I've done, aren't I a great manager'," Bavin tells his listeners.

"Just open and honest words.

"Emotional words from Kieran McKenna, the now former Ipswich Town manager, chatting to Town TV yesterday."

Image source, Contributed

Ipswich Town fan, Karim Goodchild, spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin from the airport as he gets ready to fly out to the United States to support England in the World Cup.

He says he is "a little bit gutted" by the McKenna news.

"But I don't think it's a bad decision, him leaving, because maybe he thinks he can't do no more for the club," he says.

"It's probably good to leave on a high as well, rather than if he gets us relegated again, and it'll be tough for him to go forward."

Goodchild adds that the last four-and-a-half years have been "brilliant".

Richard Woodward, one of the hosts of the Blue Monday Podcast, told the BBC this was an "important time" for Ipswich Town to keep momentum up as it edges closer to being back in the Premier League in the upcoming season.

"We experienced promotion and a rapid relegation, and the need to learn the lessons certainly in terms of recruitment, but what the Premier League was about.

"Therefore, if Kieran McKenna felt this wasn't the year for him to go again, to go through all of that hard work, then it's an opportunity for the club to figure out whether there is someone with a bit of top-flight experience, a change of approach, style of play."

He adds that the fans "will need to be patient" as the club moves through this change.

"All of us are nervous, anxious as we probably were anyway going back up to the Premier League and even more of a head scratcher as to how it might pan out this time around," he says.

Massimo Luongo continues to tell BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin that whoever takes over from Kieran McKenna at Ipswich Town has big shoes to fill.

"I think when you leave such a legacy and not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, he knew everyone's names, all the staff down to the chefs and cleaners, so for someone to come in will have to fit the culture of the club, which was set by him," Luongo explains.

"Not just in the dressing room, the whole club.

"The whole of the infrastructure, everything, was set by Kieran McKenna.

"He laid that foundation... I'm sure Mark Ashton [the chairman] will be thinking the same thing.

"Massive, massive shoes to fill, but that's football, and everyone is different, every coach is different, and they might bring in something new or they might not, so we'll see."

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk

Do you have a favourite memory of Kieran McKenna or want to have your say on his managerial career at Ipswich Town?

Then I want to hear from you.

Drop me an email at alice.cunningham@bbc.co.uk.

Image source, PA Media

Massimo Luongo has known Kieran McKenna since he was in the youth set-up at Tottenham and then played under him at Ipswich Town during one of the most successful periods in the club's history.

He tells BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin he was surprised to hear McKenna was stepping down.

He saw the news on social media, and then his phone group chats were "popping off".

"First and foremost, he was obsessed with football," Luongo recalls of his time working with McKenna.

"He was the first one in the training ground, he was the last one to leave... he is very obsessed with football, but as a person, he is a great guy.

"His morals are top, he demands a good dressing room, he demands hard work and everything he applies to himself in football, he demands from the rest of the players.

"You can see that, and if you've got a leader that sets the example by doing it, then it's so easy to follow.

"He had such an impact on me and the group I came through with, and he'll have an impact on everyone in Ipswich and the town, so he's left a massive legacy there."

Image source, PA Media

BBC Radio Suffolk's Ipswich Town commentator, Brenner Woolley, says the likes of Gary O'Neil, Liam Rosenior and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer currently have the shortest odds with bookmakers to replace Kieran McKenna as Ipswich Town manager.

O'Neil is currently the boss of Strasbourg after being appointed in January, while Rosenior was most recently in charge of Chelsea.

Ipswich Town have not yet announced McKenna's replacement.

Image source, PA Media

Andy, an Ipswich Town fan, tells BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin: "The admiration that I and everyone have for Kieran McKenna is immeasurable, but even more so, I think, to make this difficult decision.

"It is without question that health and family come first, and we can't thank him enough really."

Andy adds that McKenna will be the envy of clubs across the land.

"To have this bond with a manager and what he's done in four-and-a-half years is amazing," he continues.

"He'll never be out of work when he decides to come back, I think most will be clambering for him."

Image source, Getty Images

Chris, an Ipswich Town fan in Halesworth, tells BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin who he feels could be the best candidate to replace Kieran McKenna.

"It's sad because [McKenna's] gone, but there you go," he says.

"There's nothing you can do about it. We do wish him well."

He adds: "Personally, I would like Thomas Frank to be the new manager."

Frank was most recently the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, but did rule himself out of a return to football management before the next season.

Who would you like to see in the role?

Image source, Christoffer Vårhus

Christoffer Vårhus is a part of the Ipswich Town Supporters Club of Norway, which has been going strong for 30 years.

Reacting to the news of Kieran McKenna leaving, Vårhus says in his view the former manager had been "the most influential person in the club's modern history".

"He has united the city and everyone who works in and around the club," he says.

"We have so much to thank Kieran McKenna for. He will be deeply missed by the entire town.

"He has given us memories that will last a lifetime, and for me, only the birth of our daughter ranks higher than being there to witness the promotion in 2024 and storming the pitch afterwards.

"It’s a memory I’ll cherish forever, and I am forever grateful for the joy he brought me."

"Ipswich fans will wish him well in their tens of thousands," BBC reporter Graeme McLoughlin writes.

"This departure is a sad moment for them, but McKenna leaves their club in a far better place, and he leaves it a very attractive proposition for his successor."

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, PA Media

Understandably, there is a lot of talk from the fans about who could replace Kieran McKenna as manager at Ipswich Town.

One fan, Steve, said: "Thanks to Kieran McKenna. It is, however, equally exciting to see what chapter the next manager will write.

"The club is in a good enough position to still have several happy chapters."

One Norwegian fan said: "Call Ole Gunnar Solskjaer."

Solskjaer, a former Manchester United player and manager, does have a good relationship with McKenna and has been seen at previous games.

Nothing has been confirmed, but he is definitely a big name flying around among supporters.

Sandra Cunningham tells BBC Radio Suffolk's Wayne Bavin she believes Kieran McKenna was one of the best Ipswich Town ever had.

"Yesterday was a bit of a whirlwind," she says.

"We got the news he wasn't going to Fulham, and then about 10 minutes later, we heard that he had gone for family reasons.

"A huge respect to Kieran, what he has done for the club is absolutely remarkable, unbelievable. He's given us what we could never have dreamed of when he came in in December 2021."

She adds: "I've been mentally exhausted, I've been up and down, and I'm not in charge, I'm a fan.

"For Kieran, that's one of the things that makes him so special. He gave it his all, his heart and soul."

Here are some of the messages BBC Suffolk and BBC Sport have received overnight regarding Kieran McKenna's departure as manager at Ipswich Town Football Club.

Simon said: "Gutted to see him go, but thanks for the memories. You are part of the family, always will be."

Another fan, Darren, said: "Good luck to Kieran for the future. We have had a great five years under his management. Who's taking over?"

Paul added: "He is up there with Ramsy, Robson, Burley. All club legends."

Among the comments are lots of questions about who will take over from McKenna - as soon as we hear, we will let you know

Ipswich Town obviously has not yet announced if anyone has been lined up to replace manager Kieran McKenna.

But already there is talk that former Wolves head coach, Gary O'Neil, who is the current boss of Stasbourg, has been one manager framed to replace him.

The fans will all be eager for news soon.

Alice Cunningham
BBC News, Suffolk

Image source, Alice Cunningham/BBC

I have been lucky enough to cover both of Ipswich Town's most recent promotions back up into the Premier League.

What really struck me during both was the admiration from the fans for Kieran McKenna. There was never a hint of doubt from any of them about his abilities.

Another thing that always stuck with me was the comments about the fact that young fans today do not know anything other than success, thanks to him.

They weren't around during the hard years back in League One, and while that's understandably not their fault, I can imagine McKenna's departure might hurt even more for them.

It brings to my mind a quote from the US show The Office: "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them."

Kieran McKenna's players past and present were quick to post on Instagram to pay tribute to the job he did at Ipswich Town.

Former skipper Sam Morsy said: "Got the club back to where it belongs and brought the entire fanbase together. Changed the trajectory of many, many players and staff. Incredible man and incredible manager."

Ex-striker Conor Chaplin wrote: "The greatest. You changed the trajectory of a football club in a matter of weeks!!! Takes a special man to bring a whole county together as one, you did that. Enjoy the rest, boss."

Town winger Wes Burns said: "A truly special manager. You helped me achieve a childhood dream and so much more. You've allowed me to grow in so many ways as both a player and person. I'll be forever grateful for all the memories we've made at this special club."

Luke Woolfenden, now with Coventry City, said: "Responsible for unbelievable memories for the whole town. All the best to the best."

Midfielder Azor Matusiwa said: "Special person. Thank you for everything boss."

Former Town goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky said: "Incredible manager, but most importantly, incredible man."

Current goalkeeper Christian Walton, last season's players' player of the year, said: "Thank you boss! Brought special times to a special club. Memories to last a lifetime."

Striker George Hirst, on World Cup duty with Scotland, said: "Thank you for bringing me to this amazing club. Memories I will never forget. Thank you boss."

Freddie Ladapo, another McKenna signing, said: "What a gaffa. Congrats and go well."

Full-back Harry Clarke said: "Thank you for everything boss."

And left back Leif Davis said: "Thank you for everything gaffa."

Marcus Harness, now with Huddersfield Town, posted a simple goat emoji.

Our breakfast radio presenter here at BBC Suffolk, Wayne Bavin, is continuing to highlight Kieran McKenna's leaving of Ipswich Town Football Club this morning.

"It feels really weird saying former Ipswich Town manager... listening to that, you couldn't help but get emotional," Wayne says after playing a clip from McKenna's leaving video, where he announced his departure.

"Kieran was clearly emotional."

You can listen live to Wayne here, external, where we are expecting to hear from some fans.

Kieran McKenna has arguably been one of Ipswich Town's most successful managers.

Back in December 2021, he left a first-team coaching position at Manchester United to take over Town, who were stuck down in League One.

He then pulled them back up into the second tier of English football, the Championship, at the end of his first full season in charge in 2023.

Nothing short of a whirlwind, in 2024, he led Town back up into the Premier League for the first time in 20 years.

The Premier League naturally proved tough, and while the club was relegated back down, McKenna stood strong and has just once again brought the team back up to the top flight for the new season in August.

For some young fans, all they know is McKenna and success. It will likely be a hard time for many of them.