Former Manchester United first-team coach Kieran McKenna has been praised for the start he has made as Ipswich Town manager.
After taking over from Paul Cook in December, McKenna has overseen four wins from his opening five games.
Following last night’s 2-0 win at AFC Wimbledon, the Tractor Boys are up to eighth in League One and five points off the play-off places.
After suffering his first loss in his first senior management role against Bolton Wanderers, McKenna has responded with back-to-back wins.
With 18 League One games remaining, McKenna will be hoping to build on the momentum gained and secure a play-off spot.
Despite beating the Wombles, McKenna had mixed views on last night’s performance.
Speaking to iFollow Ipswich, McKenna said: “There were some good bits for sure, and also things we can improve. At the end of the day it’s a clean sheet away from home and a second win in the space of four days.
“We wanted the three points so made some changes at half-time, and opened the game up a bit, thankfully it paid off.
“We’re scoring goals with quality.”
The 35-year-old felt that taking the Ipswich job was the right time, project and club to make his first step into management.
He’s certainly made a positive start to life as a first-team manager, but there will undoubtedly be some challenges that he will have to overcome ahead.
But after following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick out of Old Trafford, and with Martyn Pert following him to Ipswich, the move looks to be working out for all parties.
Continuing under the Norwegian wasn’t an option, following the repeated implosions towards the end of his tenure and the seemingly lack of belief in the dressing room, in his ability to take the club forward.
After a mixed start under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and his new coaches, back-to-back Premier League wins against Brentford and West Ham could prove to be the catalyst for United to kick on.
Reaction
With new-found belief under the stewardship of McKenna, Ipswich Town fans have been lauding their manager on social media.
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