Ipswich will soon get Gary O'Neil as their new head coach
Ipswich are in the final stages of negotiations to sign Gary O'Neil as a replacement for Kieran McKenna, while compensation is still being settled with the current English club.
Ipswich Town are close to signing Gary O'Neil as their new head coach, according to a report. The 43-year-old Englishman, currently in charge at Strasbourg, has been targeted to replace Kieran McKenna who recently resigned.
Reports say compensation is still being worked out at O'Neil's current club but is not expected to be a major hurdle for the Tractor Boys. O'Neil is also expected to be joined by Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley on his coaching staff, people he has worked with during his time in France.
It was previously mentioned that former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was among those who were also presented by Ipswich before the discussion with O'Neil became tight. BBC Sport reported Ipswich's interest in O'Neil when the news first broke this month.
Under O'Neil's management, Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League, where they lost to Rayo Vallecano — the first time Strasbourg reached the last four of a European competition.
<figure style="margin:2rem 0;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid #e2e2e2;background:#f9f9f9"><img src="https://s.yimg.com/os/en/bbc_us_articles_995/f9569d5eabe7423e7610bdca72897fd3" alt="Image" style="width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain" loading="lazy" /></figure>O'Neil has a connection to the current Ipswich officials — he played for Bristol City during the time when current Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton held the same position at Ashton Gate. Strasbourg had hoped to keep O'Neil when he arrived in January, but O'Neil will have a return to the Premier League after leaving Wolves in December 2024.
Ipswich are searching for a new head coach after Kieran McKenna announced his departure last week. Although McKenna led the team back to the top flight by finishing second in the Championship last season, he decided to take a break and spend more time with family. "I feel this is the right time for me to step aside," said McKenna when explaining his decision.
McKenna takes charge of the Tractor Boys from 2021 and has led the club to three promotions in four seasons, including two occasions that have taken them back to the Premier League.
Ipswich are scheduled to open their Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland on 22 August.
