Walking in the footsteps of Ramsey and Robson - how Kieran McKenna left Manchester United to win over Ipswich Town

Sir Alf Ramsey, Sir Bobby Robson ... Kieran McKenna?

Ipswich Town has a rich history of giving young, hopeful managers their first chance in a big role and on occasions they have gone on to enjoy remarkable success. The Tractor Boys handed Ramsey his first job in management even though he had no relevant qualifications or much coaching experience when they were down in division three. In seven-years time he guided them to the First Division title in their first-ever season in the top flight. Of course, he would then go on to manage England in their one and only World Cup triumph.

If Ramsey is remembered as England's best-ever manager then Robson follows swiftly behind. He was sacked less than a year into his first job in England after being unable to save Fulham from relegation. Ipswich handed him an opportunity and he restored the Suffolk club as a serious contender. In his 13 years at Portman Road he finished league runners-up twice, won the UEFA Cup and the FA Cup before he too left for the Three Lions.

Reaching the universal renown and beloved status that those two men achieved may not be attainable for any new manager, but McKenna would certainly like to use Ipswich as a launching pad for his own managerial career.

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Ipswich have been languishing in League One since they finished rock bottom of the Championship in 2019. An instant return was expected for a club of such stature but as the likes of Sunderland, Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers have discovered, the third tier can be a sticky ditch to climb out of.

Paul Cook was the latest man to fail at the difficult task this season and was sacked by the club on December 4 after his side won just twice