Kieran McKenna has penned a bumper new contract with newly-promoted Ipswich after guiding them back to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years
Kieran McKenna has snubbed interest from Manchester United and Chelsea to commit his future to Ipswich and sign a mega-money new four-year contract.
The 38-year-old, who joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 when the club were scrapping near the bottom of League One, quickly transformed their fortunes and steered them to back to back promotions.
Speaking after signing his new deal, Kieran said: “I am extremely proud to have signed a new contract with the club. We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I’m excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years.
“Preparation and planning for the challenge ahead has been ongoing since we won promotion at the beginning of May, with plenty of work still to do before the start of the new season at what is such an exciting time for everyone at the club.
“I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and am really excited for what’s ahead as we continue this journey together.”
Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton said: “We are delighted Kieran has further committed his future to the club.
“Success brings its own challenges and there has been considerable speculation in recent weeks, but Kieran and I have continued to communicate throughout, often several times a day, as we plan for the club’s first Premier League season in a generation.
“For Kieran to have signed a new contract is a significant boost, heading into such an important campaign, as we continue the hard work in preparation for the coming season.”
The work McKenna has done at Portman Road has been remarkable and that had seen the likes of United, Chelsea and Brighton enquire about his services over the off-season. United went as far as holding preliminary talks with McKenna, who previously spent three years as a first-team coach at Old Trafford, and his representatives, regarding potentially replacing Erik ten Hag.
Despite the interest, McKenna has shown loyalty to Ipswich and now signed a new long-term contract – estimated around £5million per year – to keep him at the club.
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