McKenna took over as manager of the Portman Road first team in December 2021 and has since led the team from League One to the Championship.
The former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager has received high accolades for his efforts with the Tractor Boys over the last two years.
McKenna guided the team to a second-place finish in the league last year, scoring 98 points on their way to immediate promotion from the third tier.
The team is already aiming for another promotion this season, with the goal of returning to the Premier League.
Ipswich have been out of the Premier League since 2002, and have only made the Championship play-offs three times since then.
What are Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer’s thoughts on Kieran McKenna?
Lineker was asked about up-and-coming managers outside of the Premier League who fans should keep an eye on.
The Match of the Day host quickly shifted his focus to McKenna, describing the Ipswich manager as “one of the most exciting coaches outside of the Premier League.”
He has praised the 37-year-old’s efforts.
“I think he’s done a brilliant job with them,” Lineker remarked on The Rest is Football podcast.
“He’s young, he was the youth coach at Manchester United before moving on to Tottenham.”
“He did an excellent job.
“They’re flying around at the top of the league.”
Alan Shearer concurred, saying, “He’s doing a really good job.”
Ipswich Town secured another crucial three points on Tuesday night, defeating promotion rivals Southampton 1-0 at St. Mary’s.
It is a clear indication of the squad’s growth under McKenna that they can win at home against a team that was in the Premier League last year.
The Suffolk club has jumped ahead of Leicester City in the Championship table before the Foxes play tonight.
After seven games, Ipswich are only one point behind league leaders Preston North End.
McKenna’s team will look to maintain their early-season momentum in order to compete for a top-two spot.
However, with a contested Championship this year, teams will likely rise and fall in the quest for automatic promotion this season.
Ipswich Town will play Blackburn Rovers at Portman Road on September 23.
Kieran McKenna, how essential is he to Ipswich Town?
McKenna deserves every accolade he’s received for his work with Ipswich thus far.
After everything fell apart at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the coach decided to strike out on his own as a manager.
This has paid off nicely, and it is now just a matter of time before he manages in the Premier League at some point in his career.
It might yet be with Ipswich, whose showing so far this season has showed them to be a promotion contender.
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