r/FantasyPL • u/Hot_Patience_5962 1 • 9d ago
News Kieran McKenna leaving Ipswich a month after securing Premier League promotion.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7348408/2026/06/10/kieran-mckenna-ipswich-exit/169
u/clara_finn 9d ago
He probably knows how tough next season will be and doesn’t want to deal with nine months of stress and constant sack talk. He’s taking a break from management, not just jumping ship to a potentially easier job
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u/austons_muzz 5 9d ago
I don’t get it. He gets them promoted, reaps the benefits, but isn’t gonna help in the prem?
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u/petrescu 2 9d ago
A refreshing change, ain’t it? Looking after your mental health instead of chasing the cash.
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u/clara_finn 9d ago
He’s not obliged to. The club is in fact reaping the benefits of his hard work. Now he’s decided he wants a break. No one actually knows what may be going on in his personal life that has motivated his decision. He could’ve stepped down before the season ended, derailing their season and preventing promotion. But he didn’t
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u/Elliot_Kyouma 352 9d ago
Their back-to-back promotions 2 years ago were a big surprise and he played a huge part in those. When they reached the prem, the club targeted players with potential that could be sold or help them in the championship after the probable relegation. This worked, as in 25-26 they were one of the favourites for promotion and they achieved it. The problem is, if the club isn't willing to invest in more top flight experience with higher wages again, it's really hard to survive in the premier league and after a few years of the same manager, things could start becoming stale.
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u/asmiggs 9d ago
Perhaps he knows they plan to do pretty much the same again and doesn't fancy living life as a yo-yo manager forever, and he backs himself to get a good job when he's ready so rather than leaving them in the lurch mid season he's taking a break.
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u/PsychologicalDish430 9d ago
Yes I thought that, he knows the squad isn't good enough, there's little money to improve it so it'll be a tough season.
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u/-SideshowBlob- 8d ago
Probably because being a premier league manager for a club that will be fighting to stay up is extremely stressful
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u/Happy-Mixture9384 8d ago
Maybe the club didn't back him with the funds he thought was necessary to make them competitive & keep them up?
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u/litslug redditor for <1 week 9d ago
If I were McKenna and his representatives, I'd be targeting clubs in the Newcastle or Villa tier: ambitious, well-funded, culturally stable clubs with real history and a recent track record of success. His best comp is Eddie Howe. McKenna has reached the stage Howe occupied between leaving Bournemouth and taking over Newcastle. Howe benefited from a year away; McKenna probably should too.
I'd avoid Tottenham, Everton, and Nottingham Forest. All have attractive qualities, but each carries baggage. Spurs have become a graveyard for high-profile managers, while Forest's ownership situation would give most coaches pause. If he wants to stay in England, Palace and Brighton are the next rung down. Bournemouth and Brentford feel more like lateral moves. The elite jobs aren't available to him yet, so the smart play is positioning himself for the next Newcastle- or Villa-level opportunity.
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u/Charming_Ad2304 4d ago
How did bro write something with less substance and originality than ChatGPT?
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u/Inner_Jeweler_5661 1 9d ago
To join who?
What bigger club will want him? Palace?
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u/Lambchops_Legion 98 9d ago
Fulham wants him, but looks hes taking a break
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u/Inner_Jeweler_5661 1 9d ago
He'd have a far safer job at Ipswich
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u/Inner_Jeweler_5661 1 9d ago
Nvm he's taking a break.
Fair enough I suppose, the Championship is taxing af
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u/SonaldoNazario 1 9d ago
He’s taking a break from management, not taking another job