Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy says the players are happy that manager Kieran McKenna will be leading them in the Premier League next season.
McKenna, 38, has done an amazing job, achieving two promotions in a row. The Suffolk club will play in the top division next season for the first time in 22 years.
Last month, the Northern Irishman was rumored to be a candidate for the Chelsea job, but he chose to sign a new four-year contract at Portman Road instead.
It was well known that he had the option to go to some big clubs, but he has made history here anyway.
IIt’s great that he will stay with us, and it would have been a shame if he didn’t.
In the end, he likely felt he has played a big part in our success, and we are grateful he can continue.
McKenna Has Built ‘Competitive Culture’
In his two full seasons at Ipswich, McKenna’s team has played an exciting style of football, earning back-to-back promotions with second-place finishes. They scored 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship.
They finished ahead of teams like Leeds United and Southampton, although the Saints also reached the Premier League by winning the Play-Off final.
These achievements have made former Manchester United coach McKenna one of the most highly-rated and sought-after managers in English football, earning him the League Managers Association’s manager of the year award.
“The manager and staff have created a really competitive culture, where everyone has a voice and a sense of unity,” added Morsy. “We reflect that in everything we do. We’ve worked hard every day and always aimed to improve.”
We’ve stayed tough and brave, doing things properly. It’s amazing, especially because we’ve beaten some big teams. Doing it two times in a row is really impressive.
Morsy Thought Premier League Chance Had ‘gone’
In 2021, Morsy, a midfielder from Egypt who plays internationally, moved from Middlesbrough to Ipswich, dropping down to the third tier of football. He thought his opportunities to play in the Premier League were over.
Last Saturday, he led a team called Nujum Sports in a charity match in London. They played against a team led by Anwar el Ghazi, a former player for Aston Villa. The match aimed to raise money for children in Gaza.
Speaking at the match, 32-year-old Morsy said, “Playing in the Premier League will be special and has always been a big personal goal for me. Sometimes I believed I would make it to the Premier League, and other times I doubted it.
“Now, we’re here, and it’s a fantastic achievement, especially for such a great club with an excellent manager. The fans have been amazing, and everyone came together to achieve something special.
“Looking at the clubs that have been promoted this season, they all thought they could survive, but the Premier League is a different level. Just staying up in our first season would be a huge success.”
