Who is the favourite to take over at Ipswich after McKenna's shock departure?
Ipswich Town are searching for a new manager after the shock departure of Kieran McKenna, who has stepped down following one of the most successful spells in the club's modern history.
The 40-year-old guided the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League, securing three promotions in four seasons and cementing his status as a club legend at Portman Road. Despite being linked with the vacant Fulham job, McKenna insists his decision is motivated by a desire to take a break from football and spend more time with his family.
His departure leaves Ipswich with a huge decision ahead of their return to the Premier League, as they look to appoint a manager capable of building on the foundations McKenna leaves behind and giving the club the best chance of survival.
Next Ipswich Manager Odds
- Gary ONeil - 1/2
- Ole Gunnar Solksjaer - 4/1
- Liam Rosenior - 4/1
- Kim Hellberg - 8/1
Who is favourite to be the next Ipswich manager?
McKenna leaves behind a club in a strong position both on and off the pitch. The Tractor Boys are backed by ambitious American investors, have recently secured promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt and are set to move into a new state-of-the-art training facility ahead of the new season.
The challenge for Ipswich's hierarchy is finding a manager capable of following a club icon while maintaining the progressive culture and playing style that helped deliver unprecedented success over the past five years.
Former Wolves and Bournemouth boss Gary O'Neil (1/2 William Hill) has already emerged as one of the early names linked with the role, although Ipswich are understood to be keeping an open mind regarding potential candidates.
With Premier League survival the immediate objective, experience at the highest level could be a key factor in the club's final decision.
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Ipswich Next Manager Contenders
Gary O'Neil
Gary O'Neil is among the leading candidates to succeed McKenna and would bring valuable Premier League experience to Portman Road.
Despite relatively limited managerial experience before entering the top flight, O'Neil quickly built a reputation for organising struggling teams and making them competitive. He successfully guided Bournemouth to Premier League safety during the 2022/23 season after taking charge following Scott Parker's dismissal.
He followed that by leading Wolves to a 14th-place finish and an FA Cup quarter-final in his first season at Molineux. While a difficult second campaign ended with his departure in December 2024, O'Neil's record of stabilising clubs in challenging situations could appeal to an Ipswich side preparing for another survival battle.
Across his spells with Bournemouth and Wolves, O'Neil managed 100 Premier League matches and earned praise for his tactical flexibility, defensive organisation and ability to maximise resources.
One complication could be his current position at Strasbourg, where he has been in charge since January.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær
Few candidates on the market can match Ole Gunnar Solskjær's Premier League pedigree.
The former Manchester United manager oversaw 168 matches at Old Trafford, recording a win rate of over 54% while guiding the club to consecutive top-four finishes and the 2021 Europa League final.
His reputation was built not only on results but also on restoring stability and rebuilding dressing-room culture during a turbulent period for United.
Prior to his Premier League success, Solskjær enjoyed an impressive spell in Norway with Molde, leading the club to their first-ever league title before adding a second championship and a Norwegian Cup.
Most recently, he managed Turkish giants Beşiktaş, initially enjoying a strong start that included an unbeaten domestic run and a fourth-place finish. Although his tenure ended early during the 2025/26 season, it demonstrated that he remains capable of implementing his methods quickly and effectively.
His preference for an attacking 4-2-3-1 system and fast transitional football could align well with the squad McKenna leaves behind.
Liam Rosenior
Liam Rosenior remains one of the most highly-rated young coaches in British football despite a difficult spell at Chelsea earlier this year.
Before his move to Stamford Bridge, Rosenior had enhanced his reputation through excellent work at Hull City and Strasbourg. At Hull, he transformed a struggling side into Championship play-off contenders, while his work in France earned widespread praise after guiding a youthful Strasbourg team into European qualification.
Rosenior has built a reputation for developing young players and improving teams through a clear possession-based identity. His coaching style places significant emphasis on education, structure and tactical development, traits that could appeal to an Ipswich squad containing several players still entering their peak years.
While his 107-day spell at Chelsea ended in disappointment after 10 defeats in 23 matches, many observers viewed the challenges he faced as reflective of wider issues at the club rather than a criticism of his coaching ability.
At 41, Rosenior would fit the profile of an ambitious, progressive appointment capable of continuing the long-term project established under McKenna.
The Challenge Facing Ipswich
Replacing Kieran McKenna may prove to be one of the toughest managerial tasks in English football this summer.
The Northern Irishman departs having won 105 of his 222 matches in charge, delivered three promotions in four seasons and transformed Ipswich from a struggling League One side into an established Premier League club.
Whoever takes charge next will inherit a squad with momentum, a fanbase full of optimism and a club that appears well-equipped for the future. The challenge now is ensuring McKenna's remarkable legacy becomes the foundation for sustained Premier League success rather than the end of a memorable chapter.
