Ipswich will play Premier League football next season for the first time in 22 years, as a dramatic season under the stewardship of Kieran McKenna finished with a 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday.
This time last year, the Tractor Boys had just gained promotion from League One, and their outstanding second-tier campaign this time around has seen them win unprecedented back-to-back promotions.
Ipswich ultimately finished only one point behind champions Leicester, and their dynamic brand of football to boot has also earned them the appreciation of fans.
McKenna has become the first manager ever to earn back-to-back promotions to the Premier League in their first two full seasons in charge, in an outstanding achievement for the Fermanagh man.
The former Manchester United coach was in typically composed form as fans poured onto the Portman Road pitch on Saturday afternoon.
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Kieran McKenna sums up weight of Ipswich's back-to-back promotions
It was an emotional day for the Ipswich fans, as they realised their two-decade-long dream of returning to the Premier League.
They did so in typically dynamic fashion with an assured 2-0 win over Huddersfield, and the supporters poured onto the pitch at full time.
IPSWICH TOWN PROMOTED TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE! 🥳
Kieran McKenna's team win back-to-back promotions, beating out Leeds & Southampton despite operating on just 15% of the budget. Euphoria at Portman Road. 💙
Tractor Boys return to PL after 22 years away. 🚜pic.twitter.com/CEji5eN3kT— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) May 4, 2024
Northern Irishman Kieran McKenna will deservedly take much of the praise for this achievement, thanks to his work in revolutionising a team operating on a relatively low budget compared to their rivals.
A former assistant to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United, McKenna took over at Ipswich in December 2021, shortly after Solskjaer's departure from Old Trafford led to a change in regime.
"It's taken an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice" 🗣
Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna on going from League 1 to the Premier League in two seasons 👇 pic.twitter.com/1HkUFnzYSw— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 4, 2024
Speaking on the Portman Road pitch at full-time on Saturday, McKenna summed up the sacrifice the players and staff had made to bring the club to the Premier League and how much he was looking forward to the personal challenge of managing in the top tier.
It means a lot. Mostly seeing how much it means to everyone, to the players, supporters, to everyone. To be one of the leaders in that is absolutely massive. It's a wonderful day, very proud for everyone involved.
It's taken an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice, I have to say, support from a lot of people. It's a wonderful achievement, it'll probably sink in in the next couple of days.
It's going to be a great challenge. Of course, there's a lot of work to do...that'll start in the next couple of days. For me, on a personal level, it's going to be a great challenge and one I look forward to.
McKenna laughed off any suggestion that Ipswich could continue the trend and fight for the Premier League title next season but, even if all they manage is to stay afloat, that will nonetheless be an outstanding achievement given where they were only 12 months ago.
He has been linked with several big jobs in recent weeks, including Brighton and Liverpool - though surprisingly any talk of him in relation to the vacant Republic of Ireland job has been relatively quiet.
For now, it is time to celebrate for Kieran McKenna and Ipswich (and their two Irishmen Jack Taylor and Marcus Harness) after a memorable Championship campaign.
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