Kieran McKenna stepping down as Ipswich boss to take a break from football amid Fulham interest

Kieran McKenna is stepping down as Ipswich manager to take a break from football.

Sky Sports News understands McKenna was high on Fulham's list of potential candidates to take over at the club but McKenna will not be making the move to Craven Cottage, nor any other club, as he wants to spend more time with his family.

McKenna was under contract with Ipswich until 2028, having signed a new deal in the summer of 2024.

Ipswich are protected financially should he decide to take up a new role in the next 12 months. They would be due compensation in line with the remaining time left in his contract up until the one-year mark.

The current figure stands at around £7m.

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Speaking in a statement confirming his departure after five seasons in charge at Portman Road, McKenna outlined that it was the right time for him to step aside after securing a third promotion in the last four years with the club.

"It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club," McKenna said.

"When you have the connection that we have built at this club, there is never a good time to say goodbye.

"However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside.

"I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.

"After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far."

McKenna joined the Tractor Boys in December 2021 while the club was in League One. Back-to-back promotions from the 2022/23 season would then follow as he guided Ipswich from the third tier to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

Relegation followed in 2024/25 and despite heavy links with a potential exit from Ipswich, McKenna remained at the club and secured promotion back to the top flight for the upcoming season after finishing as runners-up in the Championship.

In total, he took charge of 222 games at the club, winning 105 of those fixtures and watching his team score nearly 400 goals.

McKenna's Ipswich timeline

December 2021: Appointed as Ipswich manager.

April 2023: Wins promotion from League One to Championship.

June 2023: Signs new four-year Ipswich contract.

May 2024: Clinches second consecutive promotion to reach Premier League.

May 2024: Signs another new four-year Ipswich deal despite interest from Chelsea and Brighton.

April 2025: Relegated back to the Championship.

May 2026: Wins promotion back to the Premier League at first time of asking.

June 2026: Steps down as Ipswich boss to take break from football.

'McKenna leaves with legend status secured'

Sky Sports' Ali Stafford:

"Kieran McKenna has brought generational joy to Ipswich Town and their fans during his time in Suffolk, with him leaving an early setback in their ambition for Premier League survival.

"McKenna's back-to-back promotions from League One to a first Premier League campaign in 22 years exceeded expectations, but the squad rebuild last summer - that ultimately led to an immediate return to the top-flight - was arguably just as impressive.

"The Northern Irishman can leave Ipswich this summer with his club legend status secured, having won three promotions in four years and delivered levels of success not seen at Portman Road in decades.

"An opportunity to join an established Premier League club would surely have been an attractive proposition to McKenna and a logical 'next step' in his career, having seen his reputation continue to grow during his time at Ipswich, so the decision to take a break will come as a surprise.

"Relegation - however expected - was the only blotch on McKenna's report card during his time at Ipswich. He leaves behind a squad better equipped to stay in the Premier League than the one he took up two years ago, although a big summer of recruitment for Ipswich now extends beyond just players."

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Kieran McKenna stepping down as Ipswich boss to take a break from football amid Fulham interest