Ipswich Town have confirmed the appointment of Gary O’Neil as their new head coach, with the former Wolves and Bournemouth manager signing a three-year contract at Portman Road.
The 43-year-old succeeds Kieran McKenna, who stepped down earlier this month after guiding the club back to the Premier League.
O’Neil arrives from French side Strasbourg, where he spent the second half of last season in charge. Ipswich have reportedly paid a fee of around £4.3 million after the coach still had two years remaining on his contract.
Strasbourg finished eighth in Ligue 1 under O’Neil and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history before losing to Rayo Vallecano.
“It is an honour to be appointed manager of this great football club,” O’Neil said following his appointment.
“I have followed the club’s progress closely over the last few years and the opportunity to lead Ipswich in the Premier League is one I am incredibly excited about.
“There is a clear vision and ambition here, and I understand the responsibility that comes with representing a club that means so much to its supporters and the wider community.”
Return to the Premier League
O’Neil will be joined by coaches Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley, who worked alongside him in France.
The appointment marks a return to English football after previous spells with Bournemouth and Wolves. He left Bournemouth in June 2023 before taking charge at Wolves, where he remained until December 2024.
Ipswich had considered several candidates, with former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer among those linked with the vacancy, but the club’s hierarchy have long admired O’Neil.
Ambitious plans at Portman Road
Speaking about his football philosophy, O’Neil said he wants his side to play with confidence in possession while continuing the club’s upward trajectory.
“I want my teams to express themselves when they have the ball,” he said.
“Of course, the immediate focus is earning enough points, but this club is not looking to simply survive. The ambition is to keep growing and achieve more.
“Ipswich is a big football club. It has played in Europe, won in Europe and has the potential to do special things again.”
Big shoes to fill
O’Neil takes over from McKenna, whose four-year spell transformed Ipswich’s fortunes.
After arriving in 2021, McKenna guided the Tractor Boys from League One back to the Premier League, securing three promotions in four seasons.
The 40-year-old had been linked with other managerial opportunities, including Fulham, before deciding to step away from football to spend more time with his family.
Ipswich will begin their Premier League campaign at home against Sunderland on 22 August as O’Neil prepares for his latest challenge in the top flight.
