First team coach Kieran McKenna has left Manchester United to become manager of League One club Ipswich Town.
The 35-year-old joins Ipswich on a three-and-a-half year contract.
McKenna told ManUtd.com: “It has been a great honour to work for Manchester United for the last five years. When I arrived as Under-18s lead coach in 2016, I had the privilege to work within a world-leading youth development system, coaching excellent talent in a truly fantastic environment.
“I’ll always be grateful to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I have learnt so much during the past four years and it was a pleasure to be part of such a dedicated group of staff. I would like to thank Ralf Rangnick, I have really enjoyed the short time I have worked with him and I really appreciate his understanding throughout this process.
“From the start of my coaching career, it has always been my ultimate ambition to move into football management and I now have a fantastic opportunity to do that at Ipswich Town, an amazing club with a fantastic history.
“I want to thank the staff and players that I have worked with over the years and, of course, wish Ralf and this incredible club all the best for the future.”
Ipswich were relegated from the second tier in 2019 and currently sit in 12th place, after sacking Paul Cook as manager earlier this month.
McKenna’s job will be to turn things around at Ipswich by making them play-off contenders next season because that might be a bit of a stretch now.
💬 "Leaving a club like Manchester United was obviously a difficult decision, but I strongly believe in the opportunity to build something here."
🔵⚪️ #itfc pic.twitter.com/W5509bRLS3
— Ipswich Town FC (@IpswichTown) December 16, 2021
We wish him the very best as he’s been at United since 2016 when Jose Mourinho saw something in him as a coach — enough to take him away from Tottenham Hotspur.
McKenna stayed on the first team staff under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The next challenge will be his biggest yet as first team manager.
It was also confirmed on the club’s official website that coach Martyn will join McKenna as Ipswich’s assistant manager.
We will be keeping an eye on how Ipswich get on over the course of the season.
