Yet another Premier League manager has left his club.
However, this time it has been his choice.
Wednesday bringing news that Kieran McKenna has stepped down at Ipswich Town.
The shock news after he had just led them to a second promotion to the Premier League.
This means there are now five Premier League clubs currently without a manager (see below), although Xabi Alonso is due to join Chelsea at the start of July.
The official Ipswich Town announcement reading: ‘Kieran McKenna will step down as Ipswich Town Manager this summer after five seasons at the club. Kieran has made the decision to take time away from football management having been at the forefront of one of the most successful eras in Ipswich Town history, leading the team to three promotions in the last four years, two of which have taken the Blues to the Premier League. He leaves Portman Road following the second of those promotions to the top-flight, which once again sparked joyous scenes of celebration and highlighted a connection between the club and its supporters which has grown significantly during his five years in charge. Kieran’s fierce dedication and unmatched work ethic represents all the club stands for and he departs with the best wishes and gratitude of all at Ipswich Town for a contribution that has created memories which will last a lifetime.’
As for Kieran McKenna himself, he explained: “It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club. When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye. However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club. To manage this club has been an absolute privilege. Over the last five seasons we have been on an incredible journey that has brought so many of the best experiences in my professional and personal life. After giving so much to the role over the previous five seasons, I now look forward to taking a break from management and dedicating some time to my family, who have been with me every step of my career so far.”
Of the Premier League managers, Kieran McKenna was the third longest serving after Mikel Arteta and Eddie Howe.
This now means that only four of the Premier League managers set to be in charge for the 2026/27 season have been in their current job for two years or more. Apart from Arteta and Howe, the only other two are Unai Emery and Daniel Farke.
This is now the current position for permanent Premier League managers and their start dates – as at 10 June 2026
Mikel Arteta (Arsenal) 22 December 2019
Eddie Howe (Newcastle United) 8 November 2021
Unai Emery (Villa) 1 November 2022
Daniel Farke (Leeds) 4 July 2023
Regis Le Bris (Sunderland) 1 July 2024
Fabian Hurzeler (Brighton) 2 July 2024
Frank Lampard (Coventry) 28 November 2024
David Moyes (Everton) 11 January 2025
Sergej Jakirovic (Hull) 11 June 2025
Keith Andrews (Brentford) 27 June 2025
Michael Carrick (Man Utd) 13 January 2026
Vitor Pereira (Forest) 15 February 2026
Roberto De Zerbi (Spurs) 31 March 2026
Marco Rose (Bournemouth) 1 June 2026
Andoni Iraola (4 June 2026)
Xabi Alonso (Chelsea) set to take over on 1 July 2026
No manager (Fulham)
No manager (Crystal Palace)
No manager (Man City)
No manager (Ipswich)
As you can see, five clubs currently without a manager, but Alonso set to start at Chelsea on 1 July 2026.