Ipswich Town close in on Gary O’Neil appointment as new head coach
Ipswich Town are close to appointing Gary O’Neil as their new head coach following the surprise departure of Kieran McKenna from Portman Road.
Compensation with Strasbourg is yet to be finalised but is not expected to be a stumbling block for the Premier League side.
The 43-year-old will return to English football for the first time since departing Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 2024.
Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley are also anticipated to make the move to Suffolk, having assisted the manager during his recent stint in France.
Strasbourg success and Premier League return
The former Bournemouth boss has long been admired by the Ipswich hierarchy and previously worked with chief executive Mark Ashton at Bristol City.
His current employers had initially been confident of retaining his services following a highly successful campaign in Ligue 1.
The French outfit secured an eighth-place league finish and remarkably reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals before being eliminated by Rayo Vallecano.
Former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also considered for the vacancy this week before the club opted to pursue their primary target.
McKenna’s remarkable Portman Road legacy
The incoming manager faces the daunting task of following McKenna, who miraculously guided the Tractor Boys to three promotions in just four seasons.
The 40-year-old stepped down last week to spend more time with his family, despite successfully securing top-flight status by finishing second in the Championship.
He had been heavily linked with the vacant managerial role at Fulham following Marco Silva’s exit before ultimately choosing a complete break from the game.
“I feel this is the right time for me to step aside,” McKenna stated upon confirming his exit.
“I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.”
The Suffolk club will begin their latest Premier League campaign at home against Sunderland on 22 August.
