Home   Ipswich   Sport   Article

Subscribe Now

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna lands Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Season award as Leif Davis named in Team of the Season and Wes Burns wins Goal of the Season




Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has won Championship Manager of the Season at the EFL Awards.

The 37-year-old received the accolade at the event held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London for his side’s incredible return to the Sky Bet Championship.

The Blues currently sit top of the table with just three matches of the campaign remaining with McKenna, and Town, hoping to achieve back-to-back promotions.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was named as Championship Manager of the Season at the EFL Awards Picture: Barry Goodwin
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was named as Championship Manager of the Season at the EFL Awards Picture: Barry Goodwin

His side, who are currently the division’s top scorers, have taken the second tier by storm winning 26 of their 43 matches and only losing six games so far – the fewest in the league.

McKenna saw off Leeds United boss – and promotion-rival – Daniel Farke and Hull City head coach Liam Rosenior for the accolade.

“It’s tough, it’s certainly not been easy and it’s testament to a whole lot of people at the football club,” he said after collecting the award.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was named as Championship Manager of the Season at the EFL Awards Picture: Barry Goodwin
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna was named as Championship Manager of the Season at the EFL Awards Picture: Barry Goodwin

“I can only thank all of them, this award is on behalf of everyone at the football club. From the board and the chief executive for putting their faith in me to the work of all the staff, some of them who are here enjoying their night tonight.

“And of course my coaching staff and most of all the great group of players as well.

“They’ve (the players) been fantastic. As everyone here knows, it’s such a competitive division, so many games are tight, so many games go down to the last minute and the fine margins.

“You can’t come out on top every week but we find a way so many weeks and that’s big testament to the group.

“We’ve got three big games now. We’re going up to Hull to play Liam’s excellent side in a couple of weeks time. We’ll take that one first then we’ve got a two more big games after that.

Leif Davis was included in the Championship Team of the Season Picture: Barry Goodwin
Leif Davis was included in the Championship Team of the Season Picture: Barry Goodwin

“We’ll do our very best. There’s some top teams there competing and it’s nice to be in it.”

Meanwhile at the ceremony, left-back Leif Davis was rewarded with a place in the Championship Team of the Season after his superb campaign.

The 24-year-old has contributed with 17 assists, a league high, and two goals this season.

As well as this, winger Wes Burns picked up the Goal of the Season award for his stunning trivela strike in the Blues’ 2-1 win over Coventry in December.

Speaking on the Welshman’s goal, McKenna, who collected the award in Burns’ absence, said: “The lesson to be learned is don’t listen to everything the manager tells you.

“I’ve been trying to get him to shoot with his left foot when he comes inside for two years and he still goes outside right. Fair play to him, it’s a great finish.”

And former Ipswich Town captain Luke Chambers won the Sir Tom Finney Award for his commitment to the League.