They started the party early at Portman Road, with fans drinking morning beers and letting off blue flares as the team bus arrived. Needing a result on the final day of the season can often be nerve-racking, but that was not the case here as Ipswich ended their 22-year absence from the Premier League with the promotion carnival lasting all afternoon.
In the end, Kieran McKenna’s players could have lost 10-0 and they still would have gone up. As news filtered through of goals being conceded by Leeds, the volume increased and their closest rivals were always at a safe distance. Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson both scored to ensure there was a victory to go with the celebrations in a haze of blue smoke.
Supporters invaded the pitch at the final whistle and lifted players onto their shoulders to mark a magical two seasons, becoming the fifth team to secure back-to-back promotions to reach the Premier League. This time last season they were heading to away fixtures at Barnsley and Fleetwood and can now prepare to return to the biggest stage.
“We’ve got super Kieran McKenna, he knows exactly what we need,” sang Ipswich fans to the tune of Bad Moon Rising, although the Northern Irishman has changed a mood of impending doom to optimism within two-and-a-half years after leaving Manchester United’s backroom staff.
When he took charge in 2021, Ipswich were 11th in League One and he helped transform the atmosphere of the club, as much as installing their stylish brand of attacking football which has led to 193 goals and 194 points in the last two seasons. Unsurprisingly, some Premier League clubs have looked at him already as a future head coach although he is now there all by himself with promotion.
“It’s relief to get over the line,” said McKenna. “You see how much it means to the players and supporters, and to be one of the leaders of that is massive. It’s a wonderful day and I’m very proud of everyone invovled.
“It was an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice, there was a lot of help from a lot of people and I’m sure it will sink in the next few days. It will be a great challenge there is a lot of work to do and that will start in a couple of days’ time. But for me personally it will be a great challenge and one I’m looking forward to.”
Make no mistake, this has been about McKenna and his coaching ability. Several players from the team that defeated Huddersfield were in League One last season, supplemented by shrewd loan signings such as Hutchinson, who was loaned from Chelsea and looks ready for the Premier League.
Others have shown radical improvement under McKenna. Sam Morsy has played through the EFL divisions and now plays with Mohamed Salah in the Egypt team. Leif Davis, bought from Leeds at the start of last season, could conceivably come in contention for an England call-up at left-back over the next year.
Their goals against Huddersfield, which also relegated their opponents to League One, came from Burns finishing into the near post after typical pressing high up the pitch resulted in a turnover. Then Hutchinson scored his 11th goal of the season when he drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
“We delievered a really good performance under pressure. We stuck to what we did all year and it served us well,” added McKenna.
“Emotional, well done lads,” was the message from their superfan Ed Sheeran, currently at the Miami Grand Prix. He was video-calling players as they celebrated in the changing room and will surely be seen at Premier League grounds next season watching his beloved team.
“I know this has been done before in the past but I’m not sure quite like this. And I don’t imagine it will be done again in this way . . .not for many, many years to come..”
The last time they were there, in 2002, they had Finidi George and Marcus Bent in their attack and went down under George Burley, who was in the stands to watch their return confirmed. They head back to the top-flight with momentum after the last two seasons and the man in charge now one of the most highly regarded young coaches in England.
In contrast, Huddersfield were relegated and there will talks over André Breitenreiter’s future after he arrived in February when they were above the relegation zone.
“The owner came over to England so we will have some conversations. I want to reflect on the last few weeks and then we will decide if I am the right person for the project,” said Breitenreiter.
“It’s possible to get back but you have to do it as quickly as possible. Some thought it was easy and were in the third division for a long time.”