The meteoric rise of Kieran McKenna and Ipswich Town
By Davis Lupindu
Kieran McKenna, the young Northern Irish manager, has taken the footballing world by surprise with his transformative impact on Ipswich Town. Just a few short years ago, the Tractor Boys were languishing in League One, a far cry from their glory days in the top tier of English football.
McKenna's Early Career
McKenna's journey began as a player, though his career was unfortunately cut short due to injury. This setback, however, proved to be a blessing in disguise. After retiring from playing, McKenna started his career in coaching whilst studying a Sports Science degree at Loughborough University. During his time studying, McKenna spent time as a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur, Leicester City, Nottingham Forest, and Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Ipswich Town Transformation
On 16 December 2021, McKenna was appointed as manager of League One side Ipswich Town, signing a three-and-a-half year contract. He officially took charge on 20 December, alongside his assistant Martyn Pert. McKenna's first game in charge of Ipswich saw his side win 1–0 against Wycombe Wanderers at Portman Road. McKenna's first away game in charge was a 4–0 win against Gillingham.
McKenna's arrival saw a quick upturn in Ipswich's form, with the team's results and performances much improved. Ipswich won seven of McKenna's first 10 games in charge, keeping seven clean sheets in the process. Under McKenna, Ipswich went 11 matches unbeaten through February and March, including setting a new club record for not conceding a goal, surpassing the previous record of 547 minutes.
Despite the improvement in form, Ipswich were unable to make up the ground required to reach the League One play-offs, eventually finishing in 11th place in League One. Ipswich ended the 2021–22 season with a 4–0 home win against Charlton Athletic on 30 April.
McKenna's influence has been nothing short of remarkable. Ipswich Town, once a team known for a more pragmatic approach, became an exciting, attacking force. The results followed swiftly. Ipswich Town secured promotion back to the Championship in dominant fashion, finishing top of League One by a comfortable margin.
The future looks bright for Ipswich Town under McKenna's leadership. The club has found itself back in the Championship after a lengthy absence, and there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding Portman Road. McKenna's philosophy and his ability to motivate his players have Ipswich Town fans dreaming of a return to the Premier League.
Mckenna’s Philosophy
Ipswich Town's playing style under Kieran McKenna is a blend of aggressive pressing, width in attack, and a strong defensive foundation. Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:
Attacking with Width:
- Formation: Ipswich typically uses a 4-2-3-1 formation with attacking full-backs who push high up the pitch.
- Wingers: They have an "inverted winger" on the left, like Leif Davis, who cuts inside to create space and opportunities. The other winger, often Wes Burns, makes penetrating runs down the flank and delivers crosses.
Overloads: McKenna emphasizes creating overloads in wide areas. This means having 5-6 players high up the pitch when attacking, stretching the opposition defense and creating space for goal scoring opportunities.
High Pressing and Winning the Ball Back:
- Pressing Trigger: Ipswich employs a high press, meaning they close down the opposition quickly after losing possession. The full-backs are crucial in this, marking opponents tightly during the build-up phase.
- Winning the Ball High: This aggressive press aims to win the ball back in dangerous areas, allowing for quick transitions to attack. Ipswich leads the Championship in shots following high turnovers.
- Adaptable Pressing: They can also switch to a more compact 4-4-2 formation out of possession, forcing opponents to play through the middle and offering opportunities for counter-attacks.
Solid Defence:
- Despite the attacking approach, Ipswich boasts a very strong defence. They have the best away defensive record in the Championship, conceding very few goals on the road.
- Organized Back Line: The back four is well-drilled and works together effectively to clear crosses and limit chances.
- Hard Work and Discipline: McKenna instills a mentality of hard work and discipline in his players, ensuring they are defensively sound even when transitioning from attack to defense.
Overall, Ipswich Town's style is exciting to watch. They are a well-drilled team that combines attacking flair with a strong defensive foundation. Their success under Kieran McKenna is a testament to his tactical approach and ability to motivate his players. This season they have been able to mount an incredible push to gain promotion to the Premier League. They have displayed an immense mentality to keep fighting to the end and this has resulted in a high amount of late goals. It will be interesting to see if they have what it takes to achieve what could be one of the great sporting accomplishments.
Follow us on
