Gary O’Neil should no longer be the Strasbourg coach. Arriving during the season to succeed Liam Rosenior, who left to join Chelsea in the BlueCo galaxy, the Englishman arrived in Alsace in a particularly delicate context. His arrival had aroused much criticism among Strasbourg supporters, who took a dim view of a new example of the close links between Strasbourg and the London club and the lack of continuity in the Alsatian project.
Despite this initial distrust, O’Neil quickly managed to convince on the ground. Under his leadership, Strasbourg achieved a satisfactory second half of the season, concluded with European qualification and above all a historic run in the Europa Conference League, only stopped at the gates of the final. A continental semi-final which will remain as one of the club’s greatest European exploits. Strasbourg also missed the boat in the Coupe de France by exiting in the semi-final of the competition.
Strasbourg will lose its coach again
But the Alsatian adventure should already be coming to an end. In recent days, the BBC revealed that Ipswich Town were keenly interested in the 43-year-old technician. The English club had been following his profile for several years and had even tried to attract him when he was still working as a consultant for Sky Sports, long before his return to the sidelines. And everything has accelerated in recent days after McKenna’s confirmed departure.
This Friday, The Athletic claims that Ipswich Town are now very close to completing their appointment to replace Kieran McKenna. Discussions between the English club and BlueCo have progressed positively and a final agreement is imminent. If everything goes as planned, the officialization should take place next week. Gary O’Neil should also be accompanied by his deputies Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley, with whom he worked in Strasbourg. After only a few months in Alsace, the Englishman is preparing to take on a new challenge across the Channel.
