Former United coach Kieran McKenna wins first game as Ipswich manager
Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna has got his Ipswich Town tenure off to a winning start, following a 1-0 win against Wycombe.
A James Norwood strike on the stroke of half-time proved enough to secure McKenna his first win, which came in front of the Portman Road faithful.
The Tractor Boys’ win meant they closed the gap on Wycombe Wanderers, who currently occupy the last play-off place, to 10 points with 22 League One games remaining.
Expressing his delight at securing his first win, McKenna told the club’s official website: “It’s a pleasing result but getting three points at this stage of the season is the most important thing.”
But the former United coach is aware of the task he faces and where the club needs to get to.
McKenna added: “We’re a long way behind where we want to be and we need to get points on the board quickly, so tonight is a good start.
“There were lots of pleasing aspects about the performance as well. It wasn’t pretty at times, it was tough and gritty, but I thought we did the ugly bits of the game well.
“We were tough, competitive and the players worked their socks off. There were moments of quality, and we know that side of things will improve.”
Kieran McKenna will be hoping to make it back-to-back wins when Ipswich welcome Lincoln City to Portman Road on New Year’s Day.
Things haven’t really changed at Manchester United
It’s been two weeks since McKenna and Martyn Pert departed Manchester United, but things have quickly unravelled at Carrington.
There are already murmurings of discontent within the squad and Ralf Rangnick has already expressed his concerns regarding the players’ body language.
All these factors were evident towards the end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure, but we are only a month into the German’s term.
The players need to produce a comprehensive response against Burnley tonight, following very poor performances against Norwich and Newcastle.
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