Kieran McKenna, the youngest manager in the top four divisions, has guided Ipswich Town to the top of the Championship having learnt his trade at Tottenham and Manchester United
Kieran McKenna has become English football’s hottest property but if a non-follower passed him on the street they would more likely guess he is a geography teacher than a head coach overseeing the return to relevance of a big club.
In his sensible half-zip jumpers, the Northern Irishman may have an understated exterior that screams educator but he has steered Ipswich Town back into the Championship, where they maintain a 100% record before Saturday’s game against Leeds United.
And the hype, despite the 37-year-old’s best efforts, is hard to keep a lid on. McKenna remains the youngest manager in the top four divisions but in coaching years he is already an old hand.
His playing career was derailed in his early 20s – just as he was on the fringes of Tottenham ‘s first team – but he was soon convinced to start coaching and, after studying in Loughborough University, he climbed the academy ladder at Spurs.