Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna has revealed he would been happy to stay at Old Trafford, had the chance to become Ipswich manager not arrived.
McKenna was announced as the League One club’s new manager last week, having left his role as assistant first-team coach at United to sign a three-and-a-half year deal at Portman Road.
The 35-year-old was part of the backroom staff under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, having originally joined the club’s academy setup back in 2016.
Following Solskjaer’s sacking as manager, there had been speculation over McKenna’s future, with the Northern Irishman having received some criticism for his part during United’s poor run of results this season.
McKenna initially stayed on as Ralf Rangnick arrived as interim manager, taking his place in the dugout for the fixtures against Crystal Palace, Young Boys and Norwich.
His departure was confirmed on Thursday though as he took up the manager’s role at Ipswich, where he replaces Paul Cook.
Speaking about his time at United, McKenna told the BBC : "It's a fantastic club to work for. I was happy there.
“I could see a future there, but it was an ambition I've had right throughout my coaching career to go into management.
"When the initial contact came from Ipswich, I knew the background of the club, it's obviously a club with fantastic traditions and history.
"I also knew the current situation with the ownership and the investment that has been put into the club and that they're looking to make going forward.
"It was the right time for me to take the step, it's the right profile of club I was looking for and I'm grateful for them giving me this opportunity. I'm confident I'll be able to repay that faith in the future."
McKenna takes over at Ipswich with the Tractor Boys lying 11th in League One, 10 points off the play-offs as they look to return to the Championship, having been relegated in 2019.
"I've put a lot into becoming the best coach I can be, but the ambition all along was to make this step," McKenna added.
"To take the chance to lead a team — I knew that day would come.”
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