Former England international Ashley Young has publicly voiced his support for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, expressing confidence that the club will outperform their previous Premier League campaign in the 2025-26 season.
Young, who retired after the season ended, was part of the “Tractor Boys” squad that earned promotion back to the top flight as Championship runners-up. Ipswich returned to the Premier League just one year after relegation. “You look at the football he wants to play, and I think fans sometimes need to be patient—they can worry,” Young said during an interview with BBC Radio Suffolk. “But he’s an outstanding manager. I hope he has a fantastic career, and next season will be better than the one they were relegated. I’m fully confident he’ll achieve that.”
Under McKenna, Ipswich has completed a remarkable three-tier climb in four seasons—promotion from League One in 2023, and Championship promotions in 2024 and 2026. Young, who previously played for Aston Villa, Manchester United, Inter Milan, and Everton, added: “Honestly, it’s incredible. I know who he is, not just as a manager on the pitch but also off it. That’s why I signed here. I knew him from Manchester United—I saw his work ethic, and it’s similar to mine. He probably stays up later and arrives earlier than I do, but he’s been brilliant for me.”
Young made 13 league appearances for Ipswich this season, ending his 23-year professional career with a promotion. The 40-year-old’s career boasts Premier League and Serie A titles, as well as FA Cup, League Cup, and Europa League triumphs. “This is the right way to finish my career,” he said.