Kieran McKenna had a loyal and trustworthy group at his disposal as he guided Ipswich Town to the Premier League from League One.
It was a relationship that elevated both the careers of McKenna and the players who embarked on this journey with the Tractor Boys, as they battled to maintain their Premier League status last season; however, ultimately, they would be relegated back to the Championship.
There is a difficulty in saying goodbye and ending a relationship at the correct time; however, Ipswich Town believe that this summer was the correct time to say farewell to several of their stars that guided them to the English top flight.
Now, Kieran McKenna has given his thoughts on the departure of these players this summer.
Kieran McKenna on the departure of Conor Chaplin
The Ipswich Town manager sat down to discuss several subjects during the international window with the club’s channels to address concerns and questions of the fans, with McKenna addressing the sale of Conor Chaplin.
He said: “Conor is one of the best people I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching and meeting. He’s been an amazing player, still is a fantastic player, and someone I hold in the highest, highest regard.
“Me and Conor have spoken all summer because he’s someone you really can have an honest man-to-man conversation with. The mutual respect there is top.
“We’ve had different conversations about his future and what the best thing for him would be as adverse to what we need for him this year.
“That was a difficult one because you know you’re losing an unbelievable person from the dressing room who would have helped us this year.
“But I think it’s right that his desire to do what’s best for his career is understood and listened to.”
The Ipswich Town manager addressed the sale of Luke Woolfenden
Luke Woolfenden was sold to Coventry City this summer, with the player sending an emotional farewell to the fans.
However, McKenna has cleared up his exit in this discussion, as he said: “In Luke’s case, everyone knows what a big part of the club he’s been.
Luke Woolfenden for Ipswich Town against Newcastle
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
“He expressed in the off-season that he wanted to move on to a different challenge this summer. In those situations you don’t want to lose them; you want to keep them.
“They’ve been an important part of what we’ve done, and they would have made us stronger this year being part of the group, but you also want to respect their wishes. If they have a wish to be somewhere else, in the end, if it can be done, you don’t want to stand in the way.
“As I’ve said all along, we really need a group of boys who 100% want to be here. You don’t want anybody to be stuck here for the wrong reason.”