McKenna’s side ended up as the division’s top scorers – despite being a newly promoted side – with 92 goals scored across the 46 matches.
Ipswich were also one of the second tier’s set-piece kings, with only Cardiff (21) scoring more goals from dead-ball situations than the Premier League newcomers’ tally of 19.
But what really got supporters on the edge of their seats was the sheer number of late goals scored by McKenna’s side. Ipswich scored 25 goals in the Championship last season after the 76th minute, and many of them were decisive.It meant that Ipswich won 32 points from losing positions last season – a third of their overall tally.
On December 16, 2021 Ipswich confirmed 35-year-old Manchester United assistant manager McKenna had been appointed their new manager on a three-and-a-half year contract.
“Kieran who?” was understandably the majority of the reaction beyond those who may not have been familiar with McKenna’s work under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralph Rangnick at Old Trafford alongside Michael Carrick.
Softly spoken at first, but methodical, clear and honest in his media engagements, fans soon welcomed the departure from McKenna’s more brash and at times, overbearing predecessors.
Promotion would prove too tough a task to achieve in the remainder of that season as Ipswich finished 11th but already McKenna had irons in the fire for his first full season in charge.
After slipping down to fourth on February 14 with a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers, thoughts were understandably turning to another season of disappointment with them eight points adrift of the top two.
But January’s transfer window had already seen four key additions in George Hirst, Harry Clarke, Massimo Luongo and Nathan Broadhead. They would prove to be massively pivotal as Ipswich went on to win 13 of their 15 remaining league games, including eight in a row, to amass 98 points and automatic promotion back to the Championship after a four-year absence.
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