Amazing! Kieran McKenna Discloses Who He Wants Ipswich To Sign As His Birthday Gift

Omari Hutchinson’s loan experience at Portman Road this season has impressed Ipswich Town, and the club could complete a permanent deal for the Chelsea youngster dependent on one critical factor.

When Kieran McKenna took over the Tractor Boys two and a half seasons ago, the East Anglian club had been struggling in League One for some years and were uncomfortably near to the bottom half of the table.

The board has previously appointed experienced managers with a track record of winning promotions, such as Paul Cook and Mick McCarthy. McKenna was the polar opposite of both of these men, never having led a first-team squad in his coaching tenure.

The board took a huge risk by hiring McKenna, but it paid off handsomely. In his first full season at Portman Road, the Northern Irishman secured promotion by finishing second in England’s third division, three points behind the title winner.

However, despite all expectations, Ipswich Town repeated this achievement in the 2023/24 season, finishing one point behind eventual champions Leicester City and returning to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years.

The 37-year-old coach was able to assemble a group capable of competing for promotion by bringing in several loan players. Kieffer Moore, Jeremy Sarmiento, and Omari Hutchinson came in and performed admirably, guiding the team back to the top level.

The last was really stunning. Hutchinson, 21, made 50 appearances for the Tractor Boys this season, scoring 11 goals and assisting six times, but now that his loan is up, he will return to Stamford Bridge.

When asked recently about what the ideal present would be ahead of his 38th birthday next week, McKenna replied: “Omari”.

Ipswich Town’s manager, Kieran McKenna, is celebrating his birthday next week. He was asked at Ipswich’s end of the season award show what he would want Mark Ashton, the owner, to buy for him as a present.

His response, “Omari!!” 😂#CFC #ITFC pic.twitter.com/03FX3sp1yu

— Chelsea Loan Army (@ChelseaIoanArmy) May 7, 2024

According to The Athletic, Ipswich have the opportunity to sign Hutchinson on a permanent basis this summer, but McKenna must remain as head coach if a deal with the playmaker is to be completed.

Hutchinson is a superb talent who is undoubtedly capable of playing in the Premier League. Chelsea now has a packed attacking group, so Mauricio Pochettino will struggle to integrate him into the first team next season. Maybe the Cobham academy product will make a permanent move this summer.

However, a return to Ipswich Town is only possible if McKenna stays in charge and is not tempted away by specific job offers in the coming months. He has made the players and fans dream thus far, and he will need to do it again next season if they are to stay in the top division.