Ipswich Town have confirmed Gary O’Neil as their new manager as the club prepares for its Premier League return. The appointment signals real intent from the Tractor Boys ahead of life back in the top flight.
Gary O’Neil Takes Charge at Ipswich Town
O’Neil arrives at Portman Road with serious pedigree. The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth boss most recently managed Strasbourg, a role he took up only in January 2025. Despite his brief spell in France, he steered the side to an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1 — no mean feat for a manager still finding his feet in a foreign league. Nevertheless, the lure of the Premier League proved too strong to resist.
McKenna Departs After Remarkable Ipswich Revival
O’Neil steps into the boots of Kieran McKenna, who left the club having accomplished something genuinely special — dragging Ipswich back to the Premier League after years in the wilderness. McKenna’s departure is the kind of story that raises eyebrows, and it’s worth noting he’s not the first manager to walk away after delivering the goods — as our piece on managers who left after winning shows, football is a brutal business. Still, Ipswich move forward. O’Neil now carries the weight of a fanbase daring to dream again, and with top-flight experience already under his belt, he looks a sharp choice to keep the Suffolk club competitive when the big boys come to town.