Ipswich Town’s head coach, Kieran McKenna, has articulated the team’s resolute determination to exert maximum effort in their pursuit of promotion following his acknowledgement as the Championship manager of the season. With a mere three games remaining in the season, Ipswich Town currently occupies the top position in the table by a single point, with aspirations of a return to the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
After a recent draw with Middlesbrough, subsequent to defeats for their main contenders Leicester and Leeds, McKenna reaffirmed the team’s steadfast commitment, declaring, “It’s going to go down to the last week.” He proudly announced that Ipswich Town had surpassed the points record for any newly promoted team in the Championship, amassing 89 points, and he expressed confidence in their ability to achieve 90 points for a second consecutive season.
However, McKenna acknowledged the onerous task of securing a top-two finish, particularly with their upcoming two away matches against Hull and Coventry, both vying for play-off positions. Following a challenging schedule that saw some players participating in five games within a span of 15 days, McKenna believes that the forthcoming break before their next match will be advantageous for the team’s physical recovery.
The head coach expressed his admiration for the team’s physical exertion, accentuating their standing as the team that covers the most ground in the league, while underscoring their resilience and determination. Anticipating the remaining three games, McKenna affirmed that Ipswich Town will give their utmost efforts and regard the challenges as aspects to embrace rather than fear.
McKenna’s managerial accolade was unveiled at the recent English Football League (EFL) awards ceremony, alongside other notable recognitions such as Wes Burns’ goal against Coventry being crowned as the Championship goal of the season. Ipswich Town’s exceptional performance under the stewardship of McKenna was accentuated, with the team securing 73 victories out of 129 games and facing only 20 losses since his arrival from Manchester United in December 2021.
Former Ipswich captain Mick Mills extolled McKenna’s contribution, noting that his impact on the team’s improvement was conspicuous, particularly on the training ground. Mills also applauded McKenna’s ability to instil a resolute character within the team and his unwavering commitment to an ambitious style of play, likening it to the daring tactics of esteemed manager Pep Guardiola.
With McKenna’s leadership and Ipswich Town’s praiseworthy performance, the team is poised for an exhilarating denouement to the season, characterized by promise and determination in their pursuit of Premier League promotion.