Externally, Kieran McKenna, his future, and his new long-term deal have dominated all that has been going on around Ipswich Town.

The manager signed a new contract that would last until 2028 after concluding that Portman Road was the best place for him to be after being linked to Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, and Manchester United.

Although CEO Mark Ashton maintains internally that the clamour was never that loud, the Blues may start to look forward now that the dust has fallen.

In just over two months, the Premier League season will begin, and the team has a lot of work ahead of them to be competitive following back-to-back promotions.

Regarding the scope of the work, Ashton told Town TV, “It’s enormous, and it breaks down into different buckets.” “I’ve been in the Premier League headquarters looking at the intricacies, the rules, and the regulations with Luke Werhun, the COO, and Tom Ball, the CFO.

“Next week is the Premier League AGM, and it will be a pleasure to accept our Premier League share certificate on behalf of this football team. We look forward to it.

“Work worth millions of pounds is already under way at Portman Road; structures are rising at the training facility, and fields are being prepped for play.

Mark Ashton, the CEO, and McKenna have been busy getting ready for life in the top echelon. (Photo credit: Matchday Images/Ipswich Town)

“Now that the manager and his team are safe, the players are the real concern. There is a tonne of work ahead of us.

The transfer market is what the fans are truly interested in, and Ashton has made it clear that Ipswich will be active in it. They’ve already been connected to a lot of players, and between now and August 30, when the window closes, the rumours will only get stronger.

When asked if hiring new players would be a top priority in the upcoming weeks, McKenna said, “Really, given the way football operates, it probably will be for the next few months.” As usual, we’ll work to get a strong pre-season with them and complete as much of our business as early as possible.

“I have a tonne of work ahead of me, a tonne of exciting work.” Clearly, part of that involves recruiting; we need to develop and hone the team in preparation for the next big move.

“The preseason is going to be crucial; the players will have rested well by the time they return, and we have an amazing preseason planned.” We must make the most of the excellent, lengthy preseason that we have.

We need to make the most of our time because we don’t have as many players as other clubs at events like the Copa America or the Euros. We’re excited about our upcoming trip to Austria and the friendly games there.

During their second preseason tour to Austria, the Blues took on RB Leipzig and Werder Bremen (Image: Ross Halls).

“In addition to welcoming some new players and helping them fit in with the team, it will also involve getting the players who have already been a part of it ready for their contributions and their huge step forward.

“What a great situation to be in, but there is a lot of work ahead. What a great summer it has been to be a part of and what exciting things are ahead.

There are always going to be people who distrust and criticise Ipswich regardless of what they do in the transfer market. It is normal for any team, especially one that was participating in League One football as recently as May 2023, to feel that way after winning the Championship.

The fact that Burnley, Sheffield United, and Luton Town were all demoted from the Premier League the previous season doesn’t help either, and McKenna acknowledges that his team will need to “respect” the distinction between the lower division and the top level.

He clarified, “We know everyone is going to queue to tell us that the step-up is massive.”

“Everyone will claim that newly promoted teams almost certainly fall back to their previous level. The three teams who went up the previous season all went downhill.

“We’ll back ourselves to do it in our way and to be competitive in our manner, but we’ll also be modest enough to respect the level and recognise what we’re up against.

“We’ll concentrate internally on the work and our ongoing efforts to develop this team, develop the players, add players who can support us, and do it the Ipswich way.” That is how we will approach the division.

It’s an amazing challenge with lots of excitement. We anticipate a lot of commotion, and teams that perform well now will always be written off, particularly if they have won two straight promotions.

“I have a lot of confidence in the approach we will take.”

Although Ashton is certain that Ipswich can contend in the Premier League the next season, he also acknowledges that this is only the start of a long-term endeavour.

“I want us to succeed as a club,” he said. “We realise that we’re far from the final product, both on and off the pitch.

“Kieran puts in a lot of effort on the training field, but the learning atmosphere and procedures we’ve set up won’t alter. All we need to do now is put our heads down and work hard.

“We must be the finest versions of ourselves at all times. We offer ourselves the best opportunity if we act in that manner.