Kieran McKenna has been named the League Managers Association’s Manager of the Year for his stellar campaign with Ipswich Town.
The 38-year-old guided the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions from League One up to the Premier League, ending their 22-year absence from the top flight.
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McKenna fended off Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta to win the coveted award.
Everton boss Sean Dyche, Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery and Portsmouth manager John Mousinho were the other names listed.
The award comes hours after Guardiola was named the Premier League Manager of the Season and Matt Beard earned the Women’s Super League Manager of the Season award.
What a season! 🚜#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/L5ymeOCcdP
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 22, 2024
McKenna took over at Ipswich in 2021, leaving Manchester United to take the plunge down into England’s third division.
He has been a revelation and a hero in Suffolk since and is attracting interest from some top Premier League sides, including Chelsea and Brighton.
This season, the East Anglians finished one point behind Leicester in the Championship and but have been gaining more media attention than the Foxes due to the completion of their underdog story.
Speaking after being handed the award, McKenna said: “This award is one of the most humbling and proudest moments of my life.
“It’s the best thing in the world and I’ve had good experience as a first-team coach, but to be a manager in the Premier League and go up against great managers is going to be a great challenge and something I can’t wait for.”
