McKenna explains why it's "right time" to leave Man Utd as Ipswich job confirmed

Kieran McKenna says he feels it was the "right time" to leave Manchester United after he was unveiled as Ipswich Town 's new manager.

The 35-year-old has been appointed by the Tractor Boys on a three-and-a-half-year deal just weeks after Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the Old Trafford hotseat.

He follows Michael Carrick out of the door and takes Martyn Pert with him to Portman Road as his assistant manager.

In an announcement on Ipswich's website, McKenna said: "I'd like to thank Mark Ashton and the owners for putting their faith in me and Martyn to take the Club forward."

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Opening up on the reasons behind his departure, he said: "Leaving a club like Manchester United was obviously a difficult decision, but I strongly believe in the opportunity to build something here.

"It feels like the right time, project and Club to make my first step into first-team management.

"For now, the focus for the team has to be on a huge game on Saturday. After that, I cannot wait to meet everyone and get to work."

Ipswich are currently 12th in the League One table and the club are pleased to have landed a coach of McKenna's experience.

"I'm delighted to officially welcome Kieran and Martyn to the Club," Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton said..

"Kieran is a highly-respected young coach who has been working at the top level of English football and with one of the biggest clubs in world football for a number of years in Manchester United.

"He comes to the Club with pedigree within the game and with exciting plans about how he is going to take the team forward. When we met, there was a clear meeting of minds in terms of how we will execute the vision of this football club.

"I'd like to reiterate my thanks to John McGreal, Kieron Dyer, Rene Gilmartin and Carl Pentney for stepping up to take care of first-team duties during the interim period. They will remain in charge for Saturday's game against Sunderland."

Ashton then reserved a special mention for United chiefs after negotiating McKenna's transfer.

He added: "Finally, I'd like to place on record our gratitude to Ed Woodward and Manchester United for their professionalism and approach."

McKenna will be hoping to end a run of no wins from their last five games when his new side welcome Sunderland on Saturday, having sacked Paul Cook after nine months in charge 12 days ago.

The Tractor Boys were most recently beaten 2-0 by League Two side Barrow in an FA Cup second round replay on Wednesday, while they languish in 12th spot in League One, having harboured hopes of promotion going into the season.