IPSWICH HAVE NAMED Gary O’Neil as their new manager, following Kieran McKenna’s resignation after he brought the Suffolk club back into the Premier League.
Englishman O’Neil arrives from French club Strasbourg on a three-year contract.
The 43-year-old took Strasbourg into the Uefa Conference League semi-finals last season – the first time the team had ever reached the last four of a European competition – and oversaw an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1.
Before his move to France, O’Neil managed both Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League, securing their top-flight status in his first seasons with both clubs.
Survival will be O’Neil’s aim in the coming campaign after Ipswich won promotion from the Championship on the last day of the season as McKenna’s men pipped Millwall to second place.
We are delighted to announce Gary O'Neil as our new Manager.
The 43-year-old, who is the 20th manager in the Blues’ 90-year professional history, arrives at Portman Road from French side Strasbourg, signing a three-year deal to the summer of 2029.
McKenna, who was unable to keep Ipswich in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season, surprisingly quit on 10 June after five years at Portman Road.
Appointed by Strasbourg in January this year, O’Neil’s work in France convinced Ipswich to bring the Englishman back home.
The decision hasn’t been universally welcomed by Ipswich fans, who have labelled his arrival uninspiring.
But Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton is confident the move will pay off.
“He is a manager who has been on our radar for some time. He is highly motivated, highly regarded, has an incredible attention to detail and tactical knowledge and is an excellent coach with a real track record of improving players,” Ashton said.
“He brings a hunger and desire to succeed at the top level of the game and, with the full support of everyone at the club, I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
Elsewhere, former Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has taken up the role as manager of Oxford United.
Welcome, Aaron Ramsey!
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Aaron Ramsey as the Club’s new Men’s Team Head Coach.
Ramsey was previously in charge of Cardiff City on an interim role at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Ramsey retired from playing in April after a career that saw him win three FA Cups with Arsenal, a Serie A title with Juventus, and 86 caps during his international career with Wales.
He takes over a club set for League One in 2026-27 after their relegation from the Championship last season.
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Gary O'Neil succeeds McKenna at Ipswich, Aaron Ramsey takes over at Oxford
LAST UPDATE | 2 hrs ago
IPSWICH HAVE NAMED Gary O’Neil as their new manager, following Kieran McKenna’s resignation after he brought the Suffolk club back into the Premier League.
Englishman O’Neil arrives from French club Strasbourg on a three-year contract.
The 43-year-old took Strasbourg into the Uefa Conference League semi-finals last season – the first time the team had ever reached the last four of a European competition – and oversaw an eighth-place finish in Ligue 1.
Before his move to France, O’Neil managed both Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League, securing their top-flight status in his first seasons with both clubs.
Survival will be O’Neil’s aim in the coming campaign after Ipswich won promotion from the Championship on the last day of the season as McKenna’s men pipped Millwall to second place.
McKenna, who was unable to keep Ipswich in the Premier League in the 2024-25 season, surprisingly quit on 10 June after five years at Portman Road.
Appointed by Strasbourg in January this year, O’Neil’s work in France convinced Ipswich to bring the Englishman back home.
The decision hasn’t been universally welcomed by Ipswich fans, who have labelled his arrival uninspiring.
But Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton is confident the move will pay off.
“He is a manager who has been on our radar for some time. He is highly motivated, highly regarded, has an incredible attention to detail and tactical knowledge and is an excellent coach with a real track record of improving players,” Ashton said.
“He brings a hunger and desire to succeed at the top level of the game and, with the full support of everyone at the club, I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
Elsewhere, former Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey has taken up the role as manager of Oxford United.
Ramsey was previously in charge of Cardiff City on an interim role at the end of the 2024-25 season.
Ramsey retired from playing in April after a career that saw him win three FA Cups with Arsenal, a Serie A title with Juventus, and 86 caps during his international career with Wales.
He takes over a club set for League One in 2026-27 after their relegation from the Championship last season.
– © AFP 2026
- Additional reporting by The42
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