‘I wanted to depart in the best way possible’: Kieran McKenna on Ipswich exit and future plans

Kieran McKenna confirmed his departure from Ipswich Town in an exclusive interview with The Guardian, saying he chose to leave while the club were riding a high. “It was an amazing way to go out on a high,” he recalled, recalling the bright May evening on Portman Road when the team clinched promotion to the Premier League after beating QPR.

The 40‑year‑old manager admitted that the idea of a final season at Ipswich had surfaced earlier, but the relentless grind of the Championship kept it at the back of his mind. When the decisive win came, he felt “this was probably time” to step away and enjoy the moment with his family and the fans.

Since leaving, McKenna has embraced a slower pace, spending time on the golf course and travelling along the East Anglian coast in a camper van with his son, who has recently taken an interest in the sport. He says those simple pleasures helped him realise that a break was needed after two decades in coaching.

McKenna stresses he has no regrets about ending his tenure on a high note and is now focusing on personal development at his own speed while keeping an eye on future opportunities in football. Readers can find related match highlights on this site.