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Thank you for joining us on this special live page this evening.

We're finishing now, but we'll be back in the morning from 06:00 with the latest reaction and analysis following this evening's shock news.

And there'll be more reaction on the BBC Radio Suffolk Breakfast Show hosted by Wayne Bavin from 06:00, and on BBC Look East on BBC One from 06:25.

You can catch up on our live special by clicking the play button below.

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Kieran McKenna managed Ipswich for 222 games, winning 106 with 60 draws and 56 losses.

In the run-in to promotion, he became the fastest Ipswich manager to clock up 100 wins.

Taking over midway through the 2021-22 season, the club finished 11th in League One that year.

His side gained a return to the Championship the following season by finishing League One runners-up to Plymouth and then stunned the Championship by going up with champions Leicester City in 2023-24.

The rise proved too rapid as McKenna's side suffered relegation from the Premier League in 2024-25 but they recovered to secure automatic promotion at the first attempt, with the final day win over QPR sparking joyous scenes across the county.

He leaves as one of Ipswich Town's most successful ever managers.

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

Image source, Action Images/Reuters

As the dust settles after this evening's announcement, attention will turn to who might replace McKenna as Town boss.

Thomas Frank (pictured), recently sacked as Tottenham manager, could be a contender, but, like McKenna, he has hinted he would like a break from football.

Liam Rosenior is currently without a job after his departure from Chelsea. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who McKenna worked with at Manchester United, is another big name who could be linked, as is Liverpool and England legend and former Rangers and Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard.

Danny Rohl at Rangers may be interested, and of the managers currently in the Championship, Derby County's John Eustace might put his CV in as well.

Former England U-21 boss Lee Carsley is another possible.

Some supporters wouldn't mind Sean Dyche, given his record of keeping teams up, but it feels like Ipswich and their style of football these days has moved on from him.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk commentator

Image source, Shutterstock

Kieran McKenna has been an absolute dream to deal with from day one.

He's an absolute class act. What you’ve seen on TV, read in newspaper columns and heard on BBC Radio Suffolk over the last few years is a true relection of him. There’s no other side to him.

If you disagreed with something, if you were critical, which we have to be on our side of the fence from time to time, he would accept it, he would realise it's part of the job; never any grudges, always looked you in the eye, always shook your hand.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Former Wolves head coach Gary O'Neil - currently boss of Strasbourg after being appointed in January - is one manager in the frame to replace McKenna.

The 43-year-old, who spent two years as a player with Ipswich's big rivals Norwich City, has admirers at Portman Road. The club are open-minded about a successor, but O'Neil is a contender.

Callers to BBC Radio Suffolk have been giving their reaction to Kieran McKenna's decision to step down as Ipswich manager.

James said: "I think even with all the rumours circulating I don’t think anyone saw this news developing as it has done and coming out of left-field.

"My initial reaction was very much one of sadness and I’m feeling quite hollow to be honest with you. It’s going to be difficult to know where to go from here."

Tearful caller Julie said: "I think if we take anything from this – look where we were when he came in. It was a really bad atmosphere at Portman Road – the performances, the team, everything was disjointed and Kieran came in and he spread that magic. He just turned the club around.

"I'm sad but I'm happy that he did that. We can go on and build from what he's left. I just wish him all the best."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Ipswich player Alan Judge has told BBC Radio Suffolk that he was not hugely surprised that Kieran McKenna wanted to take a break.

"Funnily enough I came across Kieran a few weeks ago in town and I spoke to him a little and he just said how much the season had taken out of him," he said.

"Maybe he's looking at other managers that have coached for eight, nine, 10 years in a row and 'if I have a break now, that will give me a bit more longevity coaching-wise'. We know Kieran was 24/7, wasn't he?"

Judge, who played 91 games for the Blues between 2019 and 2021, said McKenna "elevated the club from the lowest to the best".

"I was there before he came in. We could all probably say Paul Cook made a little bit of a mess of what was going on and the turnover and Kieran came in and he turned it right around.

"Not only are people saying he's a good coach but his man-management is top notch. He has done so much for the club."

Graeme McLoughlin
BBC Radio Suffolk sports editor

Kieran McKenna's time in charge of Ipswich Town has been nothing short of incredible.

Just four full seasons in charge have brought with them three promotions and a first taste of Premier League football at Portman Road in more than 20 years.

What's more, the football seen during those first two promotion-winning campaigns was the best at Ipswich Town in a generation, with a group of players who thrived under the Northern Irishman's lead.

Relegation from the top flight just over a year ago, coupled with a slow start to Town's most recent campain in the second tier, meant that McKenna had not been without his critics leading up to the New Year.

However, two morale-boosting wins over runaway Championship leaders Coventry City, and Town's first East Anglian derby victories in more than a decade, helped a new-look Ipswich team book their seat at English football's top table once again.

Town's travelling support have enjoyed some of the most memorable away days and Portman Road has come back to life, but as McKenna alluded to on the final day of the season and in his latest statement, it has come at a cost to him. He is exhausted and he needs a break.

The Tractor Boys and Girls will wish him well in their tens of thousands. This departure is a sad moment for them, but Kieran McKenna leaves their club in a far better place, and he leaves it a very attractive proposition for his successor.

Former Ipswich Town striker Alex Mathie has been speaking to Brenner Woolley on BBC Radio Suffolk.

"I must admit I did say at the end of last season he may go to a bigger club. I am a bit surprised at the step down - I thought when he was at his peak he would keep going," he said.

"You don't know what toll the past five years have taken on him. I don't think he took the decision lightly. He has a young family. I'm sure he will be back within the next year or so. He will want to keep improving."

He said he believed promotion last season was "by far his best achievement" as Town boss. "It was not easy to do that in 12 months - it was outstanding."

Mathie added: "There must be some big names in for that job, now they are in the Premier League."

Ipswich Town have announced that Kieran McKenna, manager for the last five seasons, has stepped down as manager.

There has been speculation linking him with the vacant manager's position at Fulham, but in the club statement, external, McKenna says he is taking a break from football to spend more time with his family.

Former Town players Alan Judge and Alex Mathie are among the guests on a special edition of The Blue Hour on BBC Radio Suffolk, hosted by Brenner Woolley.

You can listen here and get in touch via WhatsApp on 08000 321 333 or via email at brenner@bbc.co.uk.

Phil Ham, editor of independent Ipswich Town website TWTD, told BBC Look East that McKenna had been a "phenomenon" for the club and fans would be "shocked and sad" to see him go.

"There's been some speculation regarding Kieran moving to other clubs but to leave Town and just to have some time away from football, that's a shock to everyone. I texted an ex-player and his reaction was just 'wow'.

"No Town manager has won three promotions other than Kieran McKenna. A remarkable period in charge of the club, ending on a great high."

He added: "There's perhaps an understanding that it's been quite a few years at the club, it takes a lot out of somebody. It's not a 9-to-5 job by any stretch of the imagination, a football manager."

Ham said the new manager would have "huge shoes to fill" and believes candidates will soon begin to emerge.

He speculated whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, McKenna's former boss at Manchester United, may be in the running.

From 19:00 there will be a special programme on BBC Radio Suffolk on the news that McKenna is leaving Ipswich Town.

You can listen live here.

Image source, Ipswich Town

Kieran McKenna has, of course, just led Ipswich Town back to the Premier League.

It was the third promotion he had overseen in four seasons, having joined the club in December 2021.

The Blues went from League One to the Premier League in consecutive seasons before relegation back to the Championship in 2024-25.

But a second place finish in 2025-26 assured an immediate return to the top flight.

Image source, Getty Images

Town chairman Mark Ashton has paid tribute to the departing boss in a statement.

“The job Kieran has done at this football club over the last five years is simply incredible," he said.

“When I first spoke to Kieran prior to appointing him, I knew we would be getting an extremely bright, hugely driven coach who craved the opportunity to make his own mark on a football club as a manager. To say he has done that is an understatement.

“Achieving three promotions in four seasons, in what is your first role as a manager, is an achievement which means Kieran is now rightly discussed in the same breath as the legends of this club. The mark he, his staff and his players have made on Ipswich Town and its community will live forever. It has captured a generation.

“It’s been a true honour to stand side-by-side with Kieran over these five years and watch him grow and achieve so much. I know just how much of himself he has given to his job and he should be incredibly proud of all he has achieved. I know I am.

“Like so many, I am of course gutted that our journey together has come to an end, but I understand and respect the decision he has made after five incredibly intense years.

“Kieran will be greatly missed but he and his family leave us with our immense gratitude for all he has done. He will always be welcome at Portman Road.

“Thank you for everything, Kieran. It’s been an absolute pleasure.”

Image source, Getty Images

McKenna pays tribute to players, staff and supporters in his statement.

“There are so many people I would like to thank who have played their part in this journey," he says.

"Firstly, to Mark Ashton and the Board for giving me the opportunity, at 35 years old, to manage such a massive football club, and for the unwavering support and trust they have shown ever since. To my coaching staff and all the wonderful staff at Portman Road and our Playford Road training centre, who work tirelessly to progress the club in every way. To all of the players who have represented the club with professionalism and passion over the past five years.

“Most importantly, thank you to the amazing fans and supporters of Ipswich Town. You have followed this football club through wonderful highs and difficult lows. I will be forever grateful for the way that you welcomed myself and my family, both to the football club and to the county of Suffolk. I will cherish the memories that we have shared together for the rest of my life.

“Ipswich Town will always have a special place in our hearts.”

Image source, Getty Images

Ipswich Town released a statement on McKenna's departure, in which the departing boss says: “It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club.

“When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye. However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.

“To manage this club has been an absolute privilege. Over the last five seasons we have been on an incredible journey that has brought so many of the best experiences in my professional and personal life.

“After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far."

The 40-year-old Northern Irishman, who had been heavily linked with Fulham, says he wants to take a break from management to spend time with his family.

Welcome to our special live page, reacting to tonight's shock news that Kieran McKenna is stepping down as Ipswich Town manager after the club's promotion to the Premier League. We'll bring you more news and reaction as soon as we have it.