Former Hearts manager 'expected' to make move as he's set for UK return at Premier League club
The former Hearts manager has moved into an assistant role in gigs after Tynecastle.
A former Hearts manager is set to make his return to UK football through a Premier League chance, it’s claimed.
Ipswich Town have earned promotion back to the top flight of English football but boss Kieran McKenna has moved on in the aftermath. It’s had the Tractor Boys scrambling for a new head coach and Gary O’Neil is in the frame after impressive work in Ligue 1 with Strasbourg. He has also managed Bournemouth and Wolves with Portman Road set to be his next destination.
Joining him as part of the coaching staff will be Neil Critchley. He spent under a year in charge at Hearts after coaching stints with Liverpool and most recently Aston Villa at Premier League level. Critchley has managed QPR and Blackpool, but time in Gorgie ended with Hearts finishing in the Premiership’s bottom six, replaced by Derek McInnes in 2025. Now the former Hearts, Aston Villa and Liverpool man is set for another opportunity in England.
Who will be the new Ipswich Town coaching team?
It’s stated by the BBC: “Ipswich are close to appointing Gary O'Neil as their new head coach. The 43-year-old is poised to replace Kieran McKenna, who stepped down from the Portman Road post earlier this month. Compensation with O'Neil's current club Strasbourg is still to be agreed, but is not expected to be an issue for the Tractor Boys.
“Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley are also expected to move to Suffolk with ex-Bournemouth and Wolves boss O'Neil, having worked with him in France. Strasbourg had initially been confident of keeping him following his January arrival, but O'Neil will return to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Wolves in December 2024.”
Ipswich begin their Premier League against Sunderland on August 22nd. McKenna said upon leaving the club: “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.
Why has Kieran McKenna left Ipswich Town?
“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.”
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