Town boss Kieran McKenna says it’s been a very busy and very enjoyable week, the Blues having confirmed promotion back to the Championship via Saturday’s 6-0 walloping of Exeter City.

That game was followed by lengthy celebrations on the pitch, in the dressing room and around Ipswich, then Tuesday’s End-of-Season Dinner at Milsoms Kesgrave. Monday sees another event where players and staff will celebrate with supporters in Christchurch Park.

“It’s been very busy and very enjoyable,” said McKenna, who this morning was named League One Manager of the Month for April, reflecting on the last few days. “Saturday was a great day for everyone associated with the club.

“Highlights, of course, being the celebrations and the enjoyment we managed to bring to so many people.

“It was great to be able to share it with all our friends and families, and the players and supporters have rightly enjoyed their celebrations, which have been great to see.

“For me, it has been busy of course. There has been extra media to do and we have had a do on Tuesday as well. And now we have to plan for Fleetwood and plan for next season.

“It’s been a good few days and it has been great to see the enjoyment that we have brought to so many people.

“But we are very much still in work mode here, as a coaching staff and a support staff, to try and get ready and finish the season well on Sunday. And then go into the summer with a really good plan as to how we can improve next year.”

Has he had any time to pause? “I think it will probably be after Monday, to be honest. This week has been really busy and there are so many things you want to tie up before the end of the season. There are lots of conversations to have with lots of different people at the club.

“It has been a really busy week, but it has also been enjoyable and the atmosphere has been very good. We are looking forward to Sunday. Once we get through the weekend, we can enjoy Monday and Christchurch Park with the fans.

“I think that will be the time for some quiet time with family and a chance to look back on what we have done.”

How has it been getting the players focused ahead of Sunday? “It’s not easy. They’ve gone through some of the strongest and biggest emotions they have ever had in their lives over the weekend — huge elation, big celebrations and you have to work hard to come back from that.

“We still have a game left, a game with something on it and they have worked hard over the last few days to refocus on our playing principles and the things we have to do on Sunday.

“I’ll be lying if I said it has been completely easy and happened naturally. You have to push yourself to refocus and get ready to go again. We want to finish the season well on Sunday.”

Photo: Matchday Images

pennblue added 17:26 - May 5 We could really do with signing McKenna up for 5 years. It is a perfect duration for him imo, he can grow his experience with us, we can allow him time to learn / adjust to the championship and I am quite sure we will be back in the Prem and Europe after that time period. He can go and manage Man Utd or Barcelona then!
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Suffolkboy added 08:17 - May 6 We at ITFC simply want to own this Man Manager ,and with every good reason : importantly - does he want to own US ? For certain he's as exhilarated about the achievements as everybody ,but his ultimate dedication and ambition won't be set aside ,though family happiness and real feeling of belonging to an exciting ITFC unit will hopefully be persuasive . COYB
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