Kieran McKenna will be the Premier League’s youngest manager next season but he has crammed plenty of real-life experience into his short career.
Even if Ipswich Town are written off following consecutive promotions, the 37-year-old ‘rookie’ isn’t daunted by the undoubted tests that lie ahead.
‘I moved away at 16 to fulfil one dream and had to pivot on that at 22,’ reflects the Northern Irishman whose playing career was ended by injury when he was at Tottenham.
‘Since then, I’ve had 15 years of work, sacrifice and learning. It’s been an incredible journey and I am proud of what I’ve achieved. I was coaching in the Premier League and Champions League at 32. You want to test yourself against the best. It will be a great challenge to do that again.’
It was Jose Mourinho who first gave McKenna the chance to move from academy coaching into the first-team set-up at Manchester United. McKenna has his mentor’s self-confidence but the playing style is different. Ipswich are adventurous and swashbuckling, and it has brought remarkable success at Portman Road.
Kieran McKenna will be the Premier League’s youngest manager next season after winning promotion with Ipswich
Mckenna has guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions as they prepare to make their Premier League introduction next season
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There were joyous scenes on Saturday as goals from Sam Burns and Omari Hutchinson sealed promotion after 22 years away from the top flight.
It was felt some United stars were dubious about McKenna’s credentials but he is adored in Suffolk, where he has raised training intensity and professionalism to the point where players joke about how often their body fat is tested.
‘Senior football is about winning but the basis of the job is still to make players better,’ explains McKenna. ‘Coaching remains a big passion and I’ve enjoyed the leadership side as well. It’s in my nature.
‘We didn’t expect two promotions so quickly. It will bring challenges but we have to revel in it. There is some big, exciting stuff to come. I love it here.
‘Stepping into the Premier League is a humongous step for every department here but we embrace it.’
McKenna hailed Ipswich’s promotion to the English top-flight as ‘incredible’ amid wild celebrations at Portman Road
It was former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho (right) who gave McKenna a chance to coach alongside him at the club
The club’s American owners will give it a go. One priority is keeping successful loanees Hutchinson (Chelsea), Jeremy Sarmiento (Brighton) and Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth).
The Tractor Boys certainly won’t want to lose their special bond with the community.
Defender Luke Woolfenden, who has been at the club from the age of 11, was almost in tears as he celebrated on Saturday. ‘With 10 minutes left, I heard this voice from the crowd shout “Woolfy”.
‘I thought I recognised it and turned round. It was one of my best mates Harry from Sunday League. It blew my mind,’ said the defender, clutching a well-deserved beer.
