Kieran McKenna believes the Blues’ history and tradition should be embraced, celebrated and acknowledged, and has a big picture of legendary Town boss Sir Bobby Robson on the wall of his office, which he says is going nowhere.

Like the club’s two most successful managers, Robson and Sir Alf Ramsey, McKenna took the reins at Portman Road aged only 35.

While some recent bosses have suggested the glories of the club's past can be something of a millstone, the Northern Irishman feels otherwise.

“Our history and tradition is something we should embrace as a club,” said McKenna when asked about following in such illustrious footsteps.

“We should celebrate our success in the past and acknowledge how important it is to our supporters and the community.

“Here we've had two of the greatest managers in the history of British football who are big inspirations to myself.

“I'm not in a position to be compared with them yet — I've got a long, long way to go before I would even consider myself in the same sentence as those two.

“But they have walked through the same door and occupied the same seat as me - at the same age - and I enjoy having that history around me.

“I've got a big picture of Sir Bobby in my office, which I have no intention of removing.”

McKenna, currently the EFL’s youngest boss, had the ear of another legendary boss during his time at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson.

“I haven't spoken to Sir Alex since I left, but he was absolutely fantastic to me in my time there — very supportive of me from the moment I arrived,” he added.

“Obviously everyone thinks so highly of him around the club and throughout football, and I know he's on the end of a phone if I ever need him, and that's a great support to have.

“Even as a youth team coach, we would watch games, chat sometimes about players and performances and it was a privilege to work with such an icon and a role model.”

Photo: TWTD

itsonlyme added 08:47 - Jan 29 Everything about our manager oozes class! With any luck his picture will be up on the wall for future generations to see as one of our greatest managers alongside Sir Alf and Sir Bobby.
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CaptainAhab added 08:48 - Jan 29 Let's hope there's a big portrait of McKenna next to Sir Bobby one day!
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jong75 added 08:49 - Jan 29 100% correct. Our history, is our history. You can't change it, it will always be there. Many clubs would love to have our history. Embrace it, rather than it being a weight round the neck of the club, but lets hope we now make our own positive mark on history.COYB
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MrJase_79 added 09:16 - Jan 29 Man, I love this guy. COYB.
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TractorfactorSteve added 09:35 - Jan 29 He's wrong about the door Sir Alf walked through. Mind might be playing tricks but I think it was in a converted railway carriage. How far we've come.
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Karlosfandangal added 09:48 - Jan 29 My mum watched Sir Alf teams I was too young so I hear about the players and games. I was lucky to see the Sir Bobby years Let's hope today's generations get to see football at a successful club and just maybe see a new statue at Portman road of a successful manager in McKenna. It's the first time we have a manager that talks with a knowledge of the game, I think this is are best chance to go up and prove that Evans was lost at what he was doing

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Suffolkboy added 10:02 - Jan 29 What a very good chap ! Believes in the right things, says the right things( with sincerity) ,does the right things and draws out the best from those around him ,and those in his charge . Looks solid gold ; can't see any veneers disappearing ! COYB
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SussexTractor added 10:26 - Jan 29 Hopefully in the not so distant future, it will be arise Sir Kieran of Ipswich
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1psw1ch added 10:33 - Jan 29 top class manager,,,he loves ipswich and we love him been our manager,,, everything feels so right with him the boss
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PortmanTerrorist added 10:35 - Jan 29 We have had a succession of managers who have made and made out management is difficult and complicated. As in many walks of life, Good habits, positive attitude and having a clear plan can make any job look easy. That is what our new manager has brought and long may it continue and our history then should and will be an inspiration as to what can be at Portman Road.

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Kentish_Tractor added 10:53 - Jan 29 I am unfortunately too young to have seen us play in the Sir Alf and Sir Bobby eras, however my dad was lucky to witness both. I did however witness the Burley years - who had to manage Town in a very different era of mega-bucks football with the haves and have-nots, and I believe he deserves an honerable mention too, even if he didn't have the same careers as the other two after leaving us. From what my dad tells me (and my own experiences under Burley), our game was based around good pass-and-move football with flair. It seems KM embraces the same philosophy - which is what we all want to see. The Ipswich Way is back after all these years! If McKenna can achieve a fraction of those two greats, I'm sure we will all be well pleased. My only fear is that if his great start continues and he does prove long-term to be a fantastic manager - he will be poached before he can lead us back to the promised land. Fingers crossed he stays!

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Saxonblue74 added 11:02 - Jan 29 Absolutely right our history should be embraced! It's what sets us apart from the likes of Accrington and many others that we find ourselves temporarily sharing a league with. Let's hope McKenna can etch his name up there with the greats in the future
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Linkboy13 added 11:17 - Jan 29 Yes McKenna is a very impressive coach let's just hope we can keep hold of him that's the only danger.
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Runner added 12:09 - Jan 29 The bit I like about this piece is the way he says "our" history etc, he is 100% behind the project to get us up the leagues.
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raycrawfordswig added 12:17 - Jan 29 I'm lucky saw the Sir Alf and the Sir Bobby Teams glad I was there Great days Just means I'm getting old .Would be nice to see them again .ITID
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Bert added 13:06 - Jan 29 Here is a man who walks out on match day in an understated fashion. Compare this to Paul Cook's egotistical entrance and the word class springs to mind.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 13:37 - Jan 29 Great words, Kieran. But don't forget George Burley, to make up the glorious trio. (Agree, Kentish Tractor.)
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johnwarksshorts added 14:04 - Jan 29 Such humility and so respectful of clubs history and former managers. Class act.
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algarvefan added 01:08 - Jan 30 He's going to be good for us, but remember Sir Bobby didn't have the greatest of starts, so lets give this guy a chance.
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