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Ipswich return to Premier League after 22 years away as ex-Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna wins successive promotions

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IPSWICH have been promoted to the Premier League.

The Tractor Boys booked their place in the top-flight with 2-0 win over Huddersfield on the final day of the Championship season.

Ipswich have been promoted to the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
They return to the Prem after 22 years awayCredit: PA
Kieran McKenna has guided the club to back-to-back promotionsCredit: PA
There was a pitch invasion at full-timeCredit: PA
They lost six league games all seasonCredit: Rex

Ipswich came into the game knowing they only needed to avoid defeat against the relegated Terriers – but finished a fantastic season off in style as Wes Burns and Omari Hutchinson scored the goals.

Ipswich have not been in the Premier League since the 2001/02 season.

Led by former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna, he has fired them to back-to-back promotions.

When Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s former assistant took over at Portman Road in December 2021, they were 12th in the third tier.

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But in a remarkable rise, McKenna has guided them to a second place finish in League One last season.

And he has now followed it up with a successive runners-up promotion from the Championship.

They are first so jump from League One to the Prem in two years since Southampton in 2012.

The 37-year-old boss’ sensational work is highlighted by nine of his starting XI today playing in the division below last term.

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McKenna was assistant to Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man UtdCredit: Rex
There was a special atmosphere at Portman RoadCredit: Getty
The party continued into the dressing roomCredit: Rex

Since McKenna’s arrival, only Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery have a higher win percentage in English football than him.

In the Championship this season, Ipswich have been beaten just six times this term, which is the lowest in the division.

Ipswich fan Ed Sheeran downs pint in promotion celebration

With 92 goals they are also the highest scorers.

As Ipswich secured their Prem place, there was a party atmosphere in East Anglia.

Fans set off blue flares and waved flags on the team’s arrival at Portman Road.

And at the final whistle, there was a pitch invasion from supporters.

But Ipswich fan Ed Sheeran was not at the home of his beloved club as he is attending the Miami Grand Prix.

The pop star instead watched from a bar with some fellow fans and downed a pint in celebration, claiming his beer “tasted like promotion”.

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Ipswich join title winners Leicester in sealing their spot in the Premier League next season.

Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich will battle it out for the last promotion spot via the play-offs.

Omari Hutchinson’s goal wrapped up the promotionCredit: PA
Wes Burns (centre) scored the other goal in the game
Fans celebrated in styleCredit: Reuters
Ipswich get a trophy for finishing secondCredit: Getty
Ipswich fan Ed Sheeran celebrated from the US with a pintCredit: ESPN

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

Tagcloud: ChampionshipFootballPremier LeagueSport

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