Ipswich Town are pursuing Strasbourg manager Gary O’Neil as their new head coach following the unexpected departure of Kieran McKenna, the club confirmed on Tuesday. McKenna, who guided Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League, has left his position after three successful seasons with the Tractor Boys, achieving three promotions in the last four campaigns. Ipswich are now swiftly moving to appoint a successor, with O’Neil identified as their primary target.
According to BBC Sport, Ipswich had previously approached O’Neil when he was working as a Sky Sports pundit. The 43-year-old joined Strasbourg in January and currently has a contract with the French club that runs until 2028, with an option for an additional year. His tenure in Alsace has seen the team reach the semi-finals of both the Ligue Conférence and the Coupe de France.
O’Neil’s Strasbourg also demonstrated strong form in the second half of the Ligue 1 season, securing the fifth-best points tally during that period with 29 points. Prior to his move to France, O’Neil managed Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he oversaw a period of stability in the Premier League. He was relieved of his duties at Wolves in August 2023 after a mixed start to the season.
McKenna’s exit from Ipswich comes as a surprise given his recent success in transforming the club from League One to the Premier League. The Northern Irishman had been widely praised for his tactical acumen and ability to motivate his players. Ipswich will face a significant challenge in finding a replacement capable of maintaining the momentum built under McKenna as they prepare for their return to the top flight. Securing O’Neil would represent a bold move for the club, bringing in a manager with recent experience in a major European league.
Negotiations with Strasbourg are expected to be complex, given O’Neil’s existing contract. However, Ipswich are reportedly determined to land their top target as they prepare for the challenges of the Premier League.
