Ipswich's Premier League miracle - 16th most valuable squad and Kieran McKenna brilliance

Ipswich Town are back in the Premier League after a 2-0 win over Huddersfield secured second place and promotion. The Tractor Boys will be playing in the top flight of English football next season for the first time since 2002 after they secured a remarkable promotion on the final day of the Championship season. Kieran McKenna has transformed Ipswich’s fortunes since his appointment in December 2021 and led them on a miraculous journey from League 1 to the Premier League. 

Ipswich are only the fourth side in history to achieve back to back promotions from the third tier of English football to the Premier League after Southampton (2010-12), Norwich City (2009-11) and Watford (1997-99). Ipswich embarked on a stunning run last season, winning 13 of their last 15 games to finish second and they’ve been the great entertainers in the Championship, scoring a league high 92 goals. It’s been a special two years at Portman Road under the tutelage of one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe and Ipswich’s achievements are even more exceptional when you factor in finances. 

How much English Championship clubs spent in 2023/24

Ipswich have been competing against clubs with far bigger budgets and more expensively assembled squads. McKenna’s men weren’t close to being amongst the favourites for promotion with the three relegated teams - Leicester City, Southampton and Leeds United - widely tipped to secure their return to the Premier League. Southampton and Leicester’s squads had the highest market values in Championship history but Ipswich have outmanoeuvred the Saints and Leeds in the four-horse race.

 

Furthermore, when you look at how much Championship clubs spent this season, Ipswich rank 14th. As the graphic above illustrates, Ipswich only spent €4.67m which is considerably less than their promotion rivals. Ipswich’s owners are ambitious and wealthy but they’ve limited in their ability to spend in the transfer market but McKenna has extracted the maximum from his players. Captain Sam Morsy has been around the block in the Championship but he’s been a driving force from midfield. Cameron Burgess was plucked from Accrington Stanley, Vaclav Hladky made his name in the Scottish Premiership and left-back Leif Davis has developed into an absolute star with 21 league assists.  The creative duo Conor Chaplin and Wes Burns have proven their ability in the Championship and they’ll be confident of continuing their form in the top-flight. Incredibly, Ipswich’s squad is only the 16th most valuable in the Championship at €50.5 million and their success is testament to McKenna’s incredible coaching credentials. 

Why Kieran McKenna is one of the most exciting young coaches in Europe

McKenna developed his reputation in youth football before being catapulted into the spotlight after José Mourinho promoted him to the first-team set-up at Manchester United. The Northern Irishman, who ended his playing career prematurely with Tottenham due to injury, was a trusted lieutenant during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure at Old Trafford and the Norwegian spoke glowingly about McKenna in a recent interview with the Athletic. “Kieran was a surprise to me when I got to United,” he said. “He’s the most thorough and analytical, step-by-step, process-driven coach that I’ve worked with. He makes it so easy for the players to see and understand what we wanted from them. He’d do that the day before a game and his memory was also fantastic, his eye for detail too.”

McKenna’s coaching credentials were ridiculously questioned by some Man United supporters but he’s demonstrated his expertise at Ipswich. The 37-year-old is the epitome of a modern coach, with a clear philosophy and ability to extract the best from his players by building a close relationship. McKenna’s name has been linked with bigger jobs and it’s understood he is Brighton’s first-choice if Roberto De Zerbi leaves this summer. But the prospect of pitting his wits against some of the best managers in the world in the Premier League with the Ipswich side that he built will be an appealing prospect. Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alf Ramsay are legendary figures at Portman Road after their achievements as manager and McKenna has firmly built his legacy in East Anglia.