Mark Ashton of Ipswich Town talks about holding onto Kieran McKenna

Mark Ashton of Ipswich Town talks about holding onto Kieran McKenna

Mark Ashton the CEO of Ipswich Town is certain that his

highly regarded manager will stay with the team ‘for a long time to

come’, even though he already has a succession plan in place for Kieran McKenna.

With a tremendously impressive 99-game record of W58 D27 L14, McKenna has

led the Blues from mid-table in League One to their current position of second in

the Championship table since taking over the team in December 2021.

The football world has taken notice of what the 37-year-old former assistant manager of

Manchester United has accomplished this in his first senior management position.

In the past 12 months, the player has been linked to Brighton, Celtic, and Leicester.

Despite this, the Northern Irishman, who inked a new four-year contract at Portman Road in the summer,

has consistently stated that he intends to return to

the highest levels of the game and that the club’s lofty goals under its wealthy US owners align with his own.

When asked if he was sure the team could fend off future interest in McKenna,

Ashton said, “Kieran is vitally important to us.” He has performed incredibly well,

so we were happy to sign him to a new deal.

He has contributed significantly to establishing the football department’s DNA for many years to come.

Sincerely, I think he’ll be around for a very long time.

In addition, we have hired Premier League-caliber personnel at both the Portman Road location and

the training facility, providing them with an atmosphere that

will allow them to grow and succeed.

That includes Martyn Pert, Lee Grant, Charlie Turnbull, Rene Gilmartin, and other coaching staff members.

That’s Andy Rolls and the performance group,

whose labours often pass unremarked upon.

That also applies to the Portman Road back office personnel.

Now take a look at the team that supports the team; we have depth all around.

“Although it makes sense that you would want to know about the manager,

I’m currently defending my other employees against challenges from Premier League teams.

They are in high demand.

The good news is that I hear those employees say things like,

“I’m not going anywhere; I’m just a part of this rocket ship at Ipswich.

That warms my heart.

Even though there are many reasons to think McKenna is here to stay,

is it wise for the team to have a plan for managing succession?

Does Ashton’s “data dashboard,” which identifies players with potential still to come,

also, keep an eye on the next Kieran McKenna.

“My role is to make plans for everything,” the Blues executive retorted.

It is expected of me to try to stay ahead of the curve in every aspect of the football club.

“I’m searching for the best practices and the upcoming individuals in every position worldwide.

However, as I previously stated, Kieran is a crucial member of our team.

Together with us, he is maturing, learning, and growing.

Right now, the best thing is that everyone is travelling at the same speed.”

Regarding collaborating with a US-based ownership group,

Ashton continued, “They’re as supportive as ever.” The club receives funding from

the Arizona Public Safety Personnel Retirement System pension pot. They come here as well, and

I visit them quite frequently. On and off the field, we discuss

the plan and how we’re doing in comparison to it. They provide me and

the management team with the oxygen and breathing room we need to

carry out our duties, which is why they are so great.

They don’t make adjustments every day.

They are not the kind of ownership group that makes rash decisions.

They’re very calm in an industry where playing three games a week can cause

wild emotional swings from victory to defeat.

“Our superpowers are stability, tenacity, and calmness.

” These are the things that set us apart from most others.

As far as owners go, you will find it difficult to improve. They are excellent.”

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