Kieran McKenna has clinched promotion with Ipswich Town some seven years since leaving Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs have turned to a young interim coach in Ryan Mason as the ex-Tottenham midfielder takes charge until the summer.
Mason started his coaching journey in the Tottenham youth ranks and appears to be a promising young coach.
Maybe Mason will end up having to leave Tottenham to become a first-team manager though, especially if he misses out this time.
One former Spurs coach has gone down that route in Kieran McKenna.
The Northern Irishman joined the Tottenham ranks as a player back in 2002.
After nine years in the Spurs setup, McKenna retired at the age of just 23 due to a hip injury.
McKenna turned to coaching and emerged in the Tottenham staff, coaching their Under-18’s.
After guiding Spurs to the semi-finals of the FA Youth Cup in 2015, McKenna decided to quit Tottenham for Manchester United.
McKenna continued his ascent by becoming a first-team coach at Old Trafford – and his career has taken a real turn.
Kieran McKenna clinches Ipswich Town promotion
Ipswich Town decided to appoint McKenna in December 2021, handing him his first managerial position.
This was a real gamble given McKenna’s age but the move has really paid off.
Ipswich have been superb this season and smashed Exeter City 6-0 on Saturday afternoon.
That was enough for Ipswich to secure promotion back to the Championship after relegation back in 2019.
The number are astonishing; Ipswich have smashed 99 goals in 45 games this season and lost just four times.
Ipswich have also conceded just 33 goals, giving them a goal difference of +66.
The Tractor Boys now have 97 points and can reach 100 with a win over Fleetwood Town next weekend.
That may still not be enough to win the title as Plymouth Argyle are a point ahead of Ipswich.
McKenna’s first managerial job has been an incredible success and the 36-year-old appears destined for a huge future in management.
It may be too soon for Tottenham to consider bringing McKenna back to North London, but his early success makes him a name to keep close tabs on in the coming years.
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