Boss Kieran McKenna says his job at Town isn’t done yet and would be keen to re-sign this year’s loanees for the Blues’ Premier League campaign.

McKenna, 37, was mentioned in connection with the Crystal Palace job earlier in the season while more recently West Ham and Brighton have both been linked.

Asked about potential interest from other clubs and whether his job at Town isn’t done for him yet, McKenna said: “No, I love it here, it’s a fantastic club, I’m so proud to be the manager of this football club and I’ve worked so hard at it every day, so I give so much of myself and [so have] the people around me for the last couple of years. I’m just so focused on enjoying that journey.

“That sort of speculation’s been there for the last two years, to be honest, and I’ve shown loyalty to the club through that and I’m really pleased that I’ve stuck with it and achieved what we’ve achieved. There’s some big and exciting steps to come for the football club.”

Loanees Omari Hutchinson, Jeremy Sarmiento and Kieffer Moore have all played important roles this season.

Hutchinson, who netted the 11th goal of his loan spell in this afternoon’s match, has already said he wasn’t ruling out a loan return to Portman Road next season, while Sarmiento’s spell from Brighton is understood to include a provision to be extended into next season.

“For sure, it’s a special group,” McKenna said when asked if he’d been keen to keep the loan players at the club next season.

“We’ve had success with that last year, keeping the group together, bringing in someone like George [Hirst] on loan and the way he’s escalated.

“Of course, we’ll look at all possibilities, we’ll build a squad as strong as we can but the players we’ve had in on loan this year have been an absolute credit to themselves and have been a really big part of the group.”

Reflecting on how it will feel going to his former clubs Manchester United and Tottenham next season, he added: “They’re going to be really proud moments on my personal journey and the supporters have 19 incredible away games to enjoy.

“They’ve got a summer to enjoy now. We’ll deal with next season when it comes, but I hope everyone enjoys it and we embrace the big, big challenge it’s going to be.

“To give a new generation of Ipswich fans those experiences, that’s something we all have to be so proud of and let’s enjoy these challenges when they come.”

Photo: Matchday Images

Linkboy13 added 18:22 - May 4 No reason why we can't be a Brentford, Brighton or Bournemouth with the right injection of cash we are bigger clubs than them.
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Linkboy13 added 18:26 - May 4 Sorry meant to say bigger club.
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KMcBlue added 18:27 - May 4 And we love you Sir!
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Edmundo added 18:45 - May 4 Good news. I think we are going to need to find a new way to play against most of the top clubs (especially away from home) but In Kieran We Trust. What a time to be s Town fan!!!
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Woolfenthen added 18:54 - May 4 I'd quite happily give him a lifetime contract
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WestSussexBlue added 19:02 - May 4 Sir Bobby would be so proud of KMc. There are some very similar traits it seems, this may only yet be the beginning of a journey. Mark Ashton deserves huge recognition for unearthing and persuading this gem of a manager to come to Suffolk. This has been the most incredible Two years for our club. Thank you everyone from owners, players, club staff and even of course, the tea lady.

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leftie1972 added 19:13 - May 4 Absolutely fantastic achievement from a special manager who knows how to get the best from a special squad of players. Congratulations to all involved at the club.
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ITFCOYB added 19:56 - May 4 We have our club back. And some! COYB!
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pennblue added 20:07 - May 4 Sorry LinkBoy, but I think we should set our sights far higher. This group is a group of winners, and I don't see the ownership group, the Manager or the CEO putting that sort of ceiling on what we can achieve. I have seen us in Europe, and I want to get back in there and create some more memories.
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Gforce added 20:08 - May 4 Absolutely fantastic day for everyone associated with our awesome club.Until King Keiran came along, I never thought I'd see the blues back in the premier league in my life time.What a magnificent job he's done,unbelievable. It's just great for the whole Town and County. Even our Speedway team are riding high !! Bring on the Premier League and let's surprise a few !!
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Orraman added 20:19 - May 4 Would be marvellous to get Omari, Jeremy and Kieffer back for another season even if Omari and Jeremy would again be loans. Will surely be able to afford Kieffer. Where we do need to invest is in defence and midfield. There are defensive weaknesses and Sami and Massimo are getting older. However I have no doubt that Mark Ashton and Kieron already have a wish list. Anticipating an interesting transfer window ahead

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Lightningboy added 20:45 - May 4 Stupid talking about whether his job is finished here?!....some of the "journalists just love sh1t stirring...it's only just beginning...I for one want to see him here for as long as Sir Bobby was.
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cressi added 20:49 - May 4 Edmundo it's not finding a different way of playing just bringing players in who can execute his plans better just believe.
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JewellintheTown added 20:51 - May 4 Needs a season in the Prem to really test & show his credentials to impress for other Premiership jobs. I fully expect that will be us for at least another season. He's helped mould his baby at itfc with full support & respect from those around him. He knows a leap to another club would be premature & probably not help his career just yet. He's obviously going to attract interest but not done enough at the highest level yet to really test himself. Big but welcome shock I suspect to be in this position so early in his career, so after a bit of a break, I fully expect the game plan to be updated by the club & well prepared for our first season back in the Prem. So it's 2nd in the Premiership then next season while being told we don't stand a chance throughout it? I'll settle for that.

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ArchiRob added 20:51 - May 4 Ipswich is a special place and a special club - I fell in love with both when I moved there for work.
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Burley4ever added 20:55 - May 4 Can't we buy Omari as Chelsea may need to sell players? Plus he seems at home here and is one of the most exciting players we've had for a long time. KMK must have a plan of what or who he wants next season as long as he doesn't get carried away as GB did twenty odd year's ago!!
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pablo123 added 20:57 - May 4 Soooo proud of you all tonight , been in tears all afternoon , thank you keiran and all the boys , YOU ARE LEGENDS
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ThaiBlue added 20:59 - May 4 Chelsea will loan us Omar for next season longs he signs a contract for Chelsea also.
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ArnieM added 22:27 - May 4 Kieran’s not going anywhere. With our backing what could another club give him that he won’t get here. He’ll have MORE say in all things football at ITFC than probably any other PL suitor. He’s not daft.
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SpiritOfJohn added 23:39 - May 4 Thank you Kieran and co. for making my 50th season supporting Town one of the most successful and most exciting. Congratulations to Kieran for becoming the second Town manager to achieve 2 promotions. Only Sir Alf Ramsey has done better. Thanks to Farke and Leeds for keeping things interesting until the final day but we are mentality monsters and we have proved again that our team will come out on top over a bunch of individuals. Watch out Premier League!

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Help added 06:55 - May 5 All I have to say is a massive Thank You to Ashton, McKenna and everyone else involved in getting this club, our club to the Premiership with some wonderful football and amazingly enjoyable games. Here's to next year and beyond. Thank You
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Davidwb20 added 08:20 - May 5 Glad you love it here Kieran because we love you being here! I remember watching a game away at Doncaster not long after you started your manager role at ITFC thinking we have something special here!
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terryf added 09:52 - May 5 Agree with Arnie, Kieran's going nowhere. He calls it a journey and two years into it he's only just started. My guess is he will keep the nucleus of the Team and add maybe up to 6 new players. This is what he has done over the past two seasons and the formula has worked. Love to see Omari and Jeremy back with us. Really pleased for everyone particularly the younger fans. I've seen five promotions to the top flight in my lifetime including winning the old first division, but for the younger fans they have not seen any success over the past 20 years. I have a feeling that Kieran McKenna will build something really special at this Club and be with us for many years to come.

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BobbyBell added 10:17 - May 5 When Bobby Robson got offered the England job he said it was the only job that he would leave Ipswich for. I think with McKenna there are only one or two jobs that he would truly want and he's still a very young manager so there's no hurry. He has time to spend here and achieve as much as he can and still have so much time left. Keeping the bulk of this squad together is crucial with just a few top quality additions is the key now. The unity in the squad is amazing and reminds me of the crazy gang (Wimbledon) although a very different style of football of course.

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