Ipswich Town Appoint Gary O'Neil As New Manager After McKenna Exit

Ipswich Town confirm Gary O'Neil as the new manager on a three-year contract. O'Neil replaces Kieran McKenna and will guide the Tractor Boys on their Premier League return. The club wants stability in the top division and aims for back-to-back seasons at that level for the first time since 2000-01 and 2001-02.

McKenna left earlier in June 2026 after securing second place in the 2025-26 Championship. That campaign followed Ipswich Town’s relegation from the Premier League in 2024-25. The coaching change arrives during a key period, as the squad prepares for another attempt to stay in the top tier.

O'Neil arrives from Strasbourg, where the head coach reached the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals last season. Strasbourg fell just short of

a top-seven Ligue 1 position, missing European qualification by one point. O'Neil had taken over there in January, succeeding Liam Rosenior, and guided a late push up the table.

Before moving to France, O'Neil managed Bournemouth and then Wolves in the Premier League. At Bournemouth, O'Neil’s first full campaign as a head coach in 2022-23 ended in safety despite limited expectations. Bournemouth avoided relegation, but O'Neil lost the role when the club decided to appoint Andoni Iraola.

O'Neil later accepted the Wolves job and delivered a solid 2023-24 season. Wolves ended that campaign in 14th place and reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. The following 2024-25 season began poorly, leading to O'Neil’s dismissal before the end of the campaign, prompting the later move to Strasbourg.

McKenna leaves Ipswich Town with a clear statistical legacy from more than five years in charge. Across 222 matches in all competitions, McKenna collected 106 wins, 60 draws and 56 defeats. That record gives a win rate of 47.3%, reflecting consistent performance over several different campaigns at Portman Road.

O'Neil is expected to build on that platform and secure survival for Ipswich Town. The club has not stayed in the Premier League for consecutive years since the early 2000s. Maintaining top-flight status across the next two seasons will act as a key measure of success for the new manager.

Having penned a three-year contract, O'Neil said: It is an honour to be appointed manager of this great football club. I have followed the progress the club has made over the last few years closely and to now have the opportunity to lead Ipswich Town in the Premier League is something I am hugely excited by. There is a strong vision and ambition at this club and I am fully aware of the responsibility that brings, given how much it means to its supporters and to the community of Ipswich and Suffolk. We all know the challenge ahead as we prepare for the season together and Im excited to meet everyone and get to work.

Belief is a big factor. Gary O'Neil has delivered his first message to everyone connected with Ipswich Town. pic.twitter.com/lqrpkGuHvrIpswich Town (@IpswichTown) June 23, 2026

Key recent records for Ipswich Town and Gary O'Neil show the scale of the task. McKenna’s numbers underline the progress made, while O'Neil’s past posts highlight experience in difficult situations across England and France.

Figure	Detail
McKenna matches	222 games in all competitions for Ipswich Town
McKenna wins	106 victories, with a 47.3% win rate
Recent Championship finish	Second place in 2025-26, earning Premier League promotion
Last Premier League relegation	Dropped from the top flight in the 2024-25 season
O'Neil at Bournemouth	Kept the club in the Premier League in 2022-23
O'Neil at Wolves	14th in 2023-24 and FA Cup quarter-finals
O'Neil at Strasbourg	Conference League semi-finals and one point off Ligue 1 top seven

The timing of this appointment gives O'Neil a full pre-season to shape Ipswich Town’s plans. With promotion secured and McKenna’s record established, attention now turns to squad preparation, recruitment and tactical work. Supporters will measure progress mainly through survival in 2026-27 and the attempt to finally secure consecutive Premier League campaigns.