Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed with four games remaining in the season. Manager Kieran McKenna shared his thoughts on the challenges faced and the future of the club. Despite the setback, McKenna expressed gratitude for the unwavering support from fans and remained optimistic about the club’s prospects.
Kieran McKenna said: “It’s now mathematically impossible to catch teams. You reflect as the season goes on though and probably since the Wolves game we knew that the climb was going to be too big. Of course there’s going to be things to reflect on. Of course there will be things we look back on and think we could have done better or differently. But we look back knowing we’ve tried to do the right things. That hasn’t been done in a very long time and I’m not sure it will be done in the way we done it again. So there isn’t really a rule book for that. We couldn’t have worked any harder. There will be things we look back and on and think ‘we made the right decisions’ and there will be things we think we could have done differently, but those reflections are best kept in house.”
He continued: “It’s humbling and incredibly appreciated. I think we’ve got an incredible supporter base, as the team who we faced today do. The singing at the end for Sir Bobby was fantastic. That reception we got at the end is humbling and we want to keep earning it. We know it’s not just for our efforts this year. I think the supporters can see the players have given everything today, as they have done on so many days. We’ve fallen short, but I think they know that everyone has given everything. The journey has been an incredible one, this is a step back, but if we stick together and do the right things then this can be a springboard to push on again.”
He added: “To establish in the Premier League this season would have been fantastic. We’ve given it our best shot and fallen short. But I think in almost every aspect – work at the training ground, work at the stadium, staff infrastructure, people infrastructure, the squad strength, development of players – we’re much strong than we were a couple of years ago. There’s no guarantees we continue that progression, but if we continue to work hard, do the right things and make the right decisions then we’ve got a chance to push on again.”
Ipswich Town’s journey in the Premier League this season was fraught with challenges, and the confirmation of their relegation was a blow to the club. However, McKenna’s reflections highlight a commitment to learning from the experience and building a stronger foundation for the future. The club’s infrastructure and player development have seen significant improvements, indicating a positive trajectory despite the immediate disappointment. The support from fans has been a beacon of hope, and McKenna’s acknowledgment of their loyalty underscores the importance of community in the club’s journey. As Ipswich Town looks to regroup and strategize for the future, the lessons learned this season could serve as a catalyst for future success.
