“Within six months, we realised we could have the next Sir Bobby Robson. And everyone is talking about a statue of Kieran in a decade's time. That’s how highly he’s regarded.”
Bobby Robson and Alf Ramsey stand tall outside Portman Road, keeping watch on their old patch and the new sheriff in town.
Garry Haylock, the Englishman who spent the bulk of his playing career in the League of Ireland and Irish League, subscribes to the theory that McKenna could be special. “Football’s a simple game, but getting players to do more than they are capable of is a people skill. If Kieran went into something else completely, say engineering or banking, he'd do really well because he'd get people to work for you. So if in 10 years he's won a European trophy and then becomes the manager of Real Madrid, I'll go 'yeah, I could see that'.”
And Stewart said: “We were in the Victory Shield together but got left out of the final squad. We were gutted, but that motivation spurred us on. It turned out we were the only two players from that squad who actually went on to play for the U21s. It was testament to our attitude that we didn’t get too down about it and you’d see that in Kieran now, he doesn’t get too high or too low”
According to Haylock, it was a tight group of coaches and they travelled to places like Switzerland and the Toulon Tournament, when Gareth Southgate's U21s won it in 2016. “Kieran stood out like a sore thumb on the Pro Licence, he was just next level”, said Haylock. “He gave a presentation that I still think about now, on a black background with white writing which I’d never seen before. He just liked it visually, and still uses it for everything.
Kieran Mckenna Ipswich Town FC Manchester United FC
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Concern for Chiedozie Ogbene after forward is stretchered off against BrentfordKieran McKenna's team lost 4-3 in the Premier League fixture.
Read more »
Sammie Szmodics scores overhead kick as Ipswich end long wait for first win at TottenhamKieran McKenna’s men pulled clear through goals from Szmodics and Liam Delap
Read more »
Chiedozie Ogbene set for spell on sidelines after Brentford injuryKieran McKenna's team lost 4-3 in the Premier League fixture.
Read more »
Inside RFK Jr's health battle after he found a worm inside his brainAlthough Robert F. Kennedy Junior dropped out of the 2024 USA election, his public endorsement of Donald Trump may result in his policies on health making it to the White House
Read more »
Clare McKenna’s 16-year marriage to husband after unexpected start to romanceThe Newstalk presenter has been with her husband Johnathan for nearly two decades, with the couple growing up in the same area, but they didn’t start dating until they were older
Read more »
Charlene McKenna: ‘Within three weeks, I turned 40, had my first baby and lost my father’For the Irish actress this Christmas will be ‘incredibly bittersweet’ as she mourns the death of her dad and celebrates her much-fought-for daughter
Read more »