Kim Hellberg takes his Middlesbrough side to Portman Road on Sunday for a promotion six-pointer
Stuart Jamieson Football Content Editor
11:37, 15 Apr 2026
Kieran McKenna, head coach of Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna(Image: Getty Images)
Ipswich Town's preparation for Sunday's huge promotion clash with Middiesbrough have been rocked as manager Kieran McKenna emerged as one of the favourites to take over from Andoni Iraola at Premier League Bournemouth.
Boro face the Tractor Boys at Portman Road on Sunday knowing that a win would take them level on points with their promotion rivals, who would still hold a game in hand.
Ipswich lost 2-0 to Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Tuesday night, opening up the chance for Boro to close the gap, although fellow contenders Southampton continued their remarkable run with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn to leave the Teessiders in fifth place.
However, Town boss McKenna had to contend with headlines linking him with the soon-to-be vacant Bournemouth role, with Iraola confirming he would leave the Vitaliry Stadium at the end of the season.
McKenna refused to be drawn on any speculation, but it is not the ideal preparation for the Suffolk side heading into Sunday's massive showdown with Boro.
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“No, nothing to say on that," McKenna said when asked about the Bournemouth links.
"I've got no interest in discussing or thinking about that at the moment. It’s such an important time for us here and it’s full focus on our goals.
“Focus is just on such an important stage of the season with us right here.”
Ipswich's defeat to Portsmouth has given hope to Boro, Southampton and Millwall, who are all chasing the second automatic promotion spot behind Coventry City, who can seal Premier League football on Friday night with a point against Blackburn.
Boro are three points off second place in fifth, with Southampton ahead in fourth on goal difference, and Millwall a point better off in third place.
Town keeper Christian Walton insists they will not allow the defeat to shift their focus ahead of Sunday's game, and their game with Southampton at St Mary's on April 28.
"On the night there wasn't much in the game - I don't think they carved us open," Walton told BBC Radio Suffolk.
"Coming out on top in all the duels, the second balls, winning first contacts from their goal-kicks, it's just the small details in games that make a massive difference and we probably came up short on those.
"Everyone enjoyed Saturday and that was a really good team performance - we wanted to replicate that tonight and we didn't.
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"It's naive to think we're going to win every game to the end of the season and play amazing, with perfect performances. There's always going to be bumps in the road but we're looking forward to Sunday now.
"They're all big games. In terms of our performance, we need to go into it with the character and belief that we have in all the games."
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