Kieran McKenna has resigned as Ipswich Town manager to take a break from football, stepping down after delivering three promotions in four years — twice taking the club back to the Premier League after a 24-year absence.
The 40-year-old Northern Irishman tendered his resignation on Wednesday, with the club confirming that McKenna had made the decision to prioritise time with his family following five years of relentless work at Portman Road.
McKenna took charge of Ipswich in December 2021, with the club in the third tier of English football. In his first full season he guided them to second place in League One, securing promotion to the Championship. He then steered the club to back-to-back automatic promotions — finishing runners-up to Leicester City in the Championship in 2023-24 to reach the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
Ipswich were relegated in their first season back in the top flight, finishing 19th. He then led the club to second place in the Championship last season to earn an immediate return.
McKenna spoke directly in his departure statement.
"It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club. I feel this is the right time for me to step aside.
"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. After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far."
Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton paid tribute in full.
"The job Kieran has done at this football club over the last five years is simply incredible. The mark he, his staff and his players have made on Ipswich Town and its community will live forever. It has captured a generation."
The club statement described McKenna as having "led the team to three promotions in the last four years, two of which have taken the Blues to the Premier League."
McKenna was under contract at Portman Road until 2028, having signed an extension in the summer of 2024. Sky Sports News reports that Ipswich are protected financially — should he take a new role within twelve months, the club would be entitled to compensation in line with the remaining contract time up to that one-year mark.
Fulham were tracking McKenna as their prime candidate to replace Marco Silva. He will not be taking that role. He was also previously linked with Manchester United, where he served as assistant first-team coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before leaving for Ipswich.
Ipswich will now begin the search for their new manager. The club returns to the Premier League in August.