Gary O’Neill: Ipswich Town are close to Gary O’Neill as their new head coach

Ipswich are close to appointing Gary O’Neill as their new head coach.

The 43-year-old is set to replace Kieran McKenna, who resigned from the Portman Road post earlier this month.

Compensation may still be agreed with O’Neil’s current club Strasbourg, 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 the formerBournemouth And the wolf Boss O’Neill, working with him in France.

the former Manchester United Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also in the running for the job this week.

BBC Sport reported Ipswich’s interest in O’Neill earlier this month And the Strasbourg boss has long been admired by the club’s hierarchy.

His French club finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, losing to Rayo Vallecano. Strasbourg reached the last four of a European competition for the first time.

O’Neill played at Bristol City while current Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton played the same role at Ashton Gate.

Strasbourg were initially confident of keeping him after his arrival in January, but O’Neill will return to the Premier League for the first time since his departure. the wolf In December 2024.

Ipswich are looking for a new head coach after McKenna stepped down last week despite leading them back to the top flight with a second-place finish in the Championship last season.

The 40-year-old took over the Tractor Boys in 2021 and has led them to three promotions in the past four seasons, two of which have taken the club to the Premier League.

McKenna was associated with it Fulham Job after Marco Silva left, but left Town to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family.

“I think it’s the right time for me to step down,” he said. “I do so with great pride in the incredible progress we have made and with great hope and optimism for the club’s future.”

Ipswich begin their Premier League campaign at home Sunderland August 22.