Leif Davis, Wes Burns, and Omari Hutchinson tell Sky Sports what it’s like to play under Kieran McKenna, with Ipswich on the verge of reaching the Premier League.Watch Ipswich versus Huddersfield live on Sky Sports from 11.30am on Saturday, with kickoff at 12.30pm.
“It’s not our job to dream, it’s our job to do.”
Kieran McKenna said those words just last month, as Ipswich Town entered the last eight games of their Championship season.
With only a point needed at home to all-but-relegated Huddersfield on the final day of the season on Saturday – live on Sky Sports from 11.30am; kick-off 12.30pm – to secure second place, Ipswich Town, their fans, and the manager can start to dream.
Here, some of his key personnel tell us about McKenna, the man who has Ipswich on the verge of back-to-back promotions and the Tractor Boys’ first return to the Premier League in 22 years… (while we also spare a word for the manager on his players…).
‘From day one he helped me to improve my game’
In December, Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis spoke with Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam on how Kieran McKenna and Marcelo Bielsa helped him become the Championship’s most prominent attacking full-back.
Leif Davis stated to Sky Sports in November that he had significantly improved his game, both offensively and defensively.
Davis, aged 24, joined Ipswich from Leeds United last season, a club they may well beat to promotion, and contributed to the club’s elevation from League One. This season, he is the Championship’s leading assister, with 18 goals created from left back.
“I didn’t think I had that quality in the final third; it wasn’t my greatest point, but now I believe it is.
“He has worked with me in training to become more comfortable with the ball at my feet in the final third, as well as to locate passes rather than simply putting it in the box and hoping for the best.
“My style of play on the team is more advanced than that of a typical left-back. I don’t have somebody in front of me, so I have to do a lot of work on that side myself.
“But it’s my job. It’s why I was brought in, and he believes I can play that part – at least I hope so!
“It was one of the best decisions I made to come here. It was a step down two leagues, but it’s what you have to do to play football. If you work hard, you will be rewarded.
On the Sky Sports Championship Predictions podcast, Simeon Gholam and David Prutton preview the season’s final day as Ipswich and Leeds compete for the final promotion berth.
Davis also noted similarities between McKenna and Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, who gave him his senior debut.
“I’ve said it before, but it’s a similar kind of training under Kieran and Marcelo,” the left-back says.
“They both have very high demands in training in the way they both want you to work hard, learn every day and keep improving.”
Kieran McKenna spoke to Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam in April about his promotion hopes with Ipswich Town, the club’s future, and the form of Leif Davis and Omari Hutchinson.
McKenna discusses Davis:
“Leif arrived last summer and hadn’t played a full season in men’s football,” the Ipswich manager told Sky Sports in March. “So it was the appropriate decision for him to join a club where he could feel at home in a supportive environment.
“The task for him, like with all of our players, was to persevere and demonstrate their ability to compete in the Championship. He’s had a great season and is an important component of how we play. His production is quite consistent, both physically and technically. However, he still has a lot of growing and maturing to go.
‘We have complete trust in anything he says’
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In January, Ipswich midfielder Wes Burns spoke with Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam about his Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month-winning trio.
In January, Ipswich winger Wes Burns told Sky Sports that the boss is satisfied with players that give their all, follow their values, and execute the game plan given to them.
“He is such an excellent coach that we completely trust everything he says. That trust has been translated onto the pitch, and we are carrying it out well for him. I believe that is why we are where we are.
“We’re such a hard-working team, and I think hard work goes a long way in this league.”
Burns has competed in every division, from the National League to the Scottish Premiership.
McKenna converted the former striker into a high-pressing right winger.
After playing for Bristol City, Forest Green, Oxford United, Cheltenham, Fleetwood, and Aberdeen, he is currently 29 years old and on the verge of joining the Premier League.
“From the first day he came in, there’s been so much information to take on board,” he said.
“But from the outside, you can see the progress that we’ve made as a team and as individuals. He’s brought us all to the next level, which is indicative of an exceptional coach.
“For me, he’s just streamlined my game completely, and for so many players, doing so can get so much more out of them.
“Every week, he expects me to provide certain critical things to the team. Set duties in the system, and as long as I follow them on match days, it’s effective.”
“I went to Fleetwood (in 2015) as a No 9, and I’m certainly not a No 9. So identifying my place has undoubtedly aided my progress.
“And then, obviously, with the boss coming in, he’s adjusted my position slightly again. And that’s where I’m starting to see the best results.”
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As the push for promotion heats up, watch some of Ipswich Town’s finest goals from the 2023-24 Sky Bet Championship season.
McKenna discusses Burns:
Burns, who won Sky Bet Championship Goal of the Month and EFL Goal of the Season for his stunning trivela against Coventry in December, received plaudits from his manager.
“We’ve had a few jokes about it because it’s probably been about two years worth of Wes trying it!” McKenna replied with a smile. “He also has a tremendously good left foot that he doesn’t use very much. He kept trying to use his right foot, but I kept advising him to try it with his left.
“So maybe we can take a bit of pride in the build-up to the goal, but the quality and execution of the finish can go to Wes.”
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