Ipswich Town

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Well, at first glance, Sunderland at home compared with a Liverpool side two years ago that went on to become Premier League champions is a kinder proposition for Ipswich Town on the opening day of the season.

However, to say the Black Cats impressed on their return to the top flight last year is an understatement. They will be playing in Europe next season - and three points for Town, or even one point, is far from a given.

Ipswich then travel to Manchester United before Liverpool visit in early September. So, as far as the opening few weeks of a campaign on paper go, this could have been kinder.

That being said, this is the top table of English football, so what did we expect?

• See Ipswich's opening fixtures

The club feels it belongs at this level, and there is no doubting the Blues are more prepared for the Premier League this time around in many areas.

Impressive enhancements to the training ground will be completed this summer, and the club is in far better shape commercially. There is also less work to do at Portman Road in terms of getting the stadium ready to host some of the biggest names in football, along with more high-profile guests from the media and corporate world.

However, with two months to go until matchday one, there are obvious concerns.

A new manager is yet to be appointed following Kieran McKenna's recent decision to step down, and the new boss has some of the biggest shoes in English football to fill.

McKenna's influence and legacy was massive among the players, the staff and the supporters. His successor will need to get those in the building already on side and oversee a successful first transfer window.

We may not be talking the wholesale change of summer 2024, but there are certainly key areas where Ipswich have to strengthen, with a goalscorer capable of finding the net on a regular basis in the Premier League a big priority.

Listen to full-back Leif Davis share his thoughts on Ipswich's fixtures on BBC Sounds here or by pressing play below

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We asked for your views on Ipswich Town's 2026-27 fixtures and how many points you expect from the first 10 games.

Here are some of your comments:

Andy: I expect it to be another tough opening few weeks, with no more than 12 points after 10 games, and a real slog to finish fourth from bottom of the table.

Louis: A bit disappointed with having Manchester United second and Liverpool third, but they could have been a lot worse. Our opening and closing games are at home against sides we are well capable of getting three points from.

Stuart: Happy, excited, nervous. We have to play them all so let's enjoy the experience again. I'm waiting for the announcements of our new manager and possible new additions to team.

Sam: An ideal first fixture, and I think that's the only one that counts with these fixture releases. We know we need to play many extremely difficult games in the Premier League so the ordering of the rest doesn't matter at this point.

Chris: When we look at what's happening with all the other clubs, Ipswich Town are managerless and are not in the race for anyone. This really does not bode well for the new season. If we don't get a manager in as soon as possible and start getting some quality players in, we will miss out and end up relegated once again. Deja vu! Come on Town, get serious!

Nick Mashiter and Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport

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Former Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna will cost £8m if any club want to appoint him in the next 12 months.

The 40-year-old stepped down as the Tractor Boys' manager this month to spend more time with his family.

But Ipswich have protected themselves and the triple promotion-winning manager and will still bank compensation despite McKenna walking away from Portman Road.

There remains the possibility it could be negotiated down closer to next year's 1 July cut off to ensure Ipswich do not lose McKenna for free, but the current figure is £8m.

The price tag put Bournemouth off previously, before they appointed Marco Rose, while it remained a consideration for Fulham when they looked at McKenna following Marco Silva's Craven Cottage exit this month.

The former Manchester United assistant quit Ipswich despite leading them back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

He took charge of in 2021 when they were in League One and guided them to three promotions in the past four seasons, two of which have taken the club into the top flight.

McKenna, who was born in London and raised in Northern Ireland, had two years remaining on his contract at Ipswich after signing a four-year deal in 2024.

He won 105 of his 222 games in charge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gary O'Neil are candidates to replace McKenna with the club stepping up their search this week.

Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton says "there are still conversations to be had" but a managerial appointment is "imminent" at Portman Road, as the club prepares for its return to the Premier League.

It comes after Kieran McKenna resigned from his position just weeks after clinching promotion, his third in the past four seasons and his second into the top flight.

"Last time we were promoted, it brought real challenges," Ashton told BBC Radio Suffolk. "We had been outside of the Premier League for over two decades and we had less than 11 months or so in the Championship, so there was no time to build infrastructure.

"This time, the training ground will be built plus the recruitment, analysis, performance and medical departments have been enhanced on and off the pitch.

"It is going to be tough, but we are definitely more robust as a club this time around. We want to do everything we can to stay in this division.

"It will be tough for any incoming manager. When you appoint a manager in mid-table League One, you have time to bed them in and let them grow into a role. But this time, the manager is going to be straight in [the deep end].

"There are still conversations to be had, but I will say that time is key. The board have been really good in encouraging me to take as much time as I need to make sure I've done as much due diligence as I can do and that I'm as comfortable as I can be.

"I would say an appointment is now imminent."

Listen to Mark Ashton's full interview above or listen on BBC Sounds

Now you have seen the 2026-27 fixtures, what kind of start do you think the Tractor Boys will have? How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?

Get in touch with your views here

• Read more on the matches and rule changes for 2026-27

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Ipswich will kick off their 2026-27 campaign back in the Premier League with a home game against Sunderland.

The match will take place on Saturday, 22 August at 15:00 BST, with the Tractor Boys' first away fixture against Manchester United on the weekend of 29-30 August.

They face Brentford (H), Chelsea (H), Arsenal (A) and Coventry City (H) over the Christmas and New Year period.

And Town end their league season against Everton at Portman Road on Sunday, 30 May, when all games will kick off at the same time.

See Ipswich's Premier League fixtures in full here

Now you have seen the fixtures, what kind of start do you think the Tractor Boys will have? How many points do you expect after the first 10 games?

Send us your thoughts here

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With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most.

Here are some of your replies:

Mark: It was the first match of the 2016-17 season and we were playing Barnsley at home. The first half didn't last long in the memory, but at half-time we introduced new signing Grant Ward, who we had bought from Tottenham for about £500,000. His first touch ended up in the back of the net and he had grabbed his second less than 20 minutes later. The crowd were buzzing and when he got another chance near the end, he didn't disappoint. He completed his hat-trick in less than 45 minutes. It was a brilliant way to start the season. We had beaten Barnsley 4-2, which coincidentally was the same score as the play-off final! Happy days.

Louis: My worst opening-day memory is being all over Liverpool only to then go and concede two goals against the run of play in August 2024.

KB: Our return to the Championship after four years in League One began with a trip to Sunderland. It was the opening fixture of a remarkable 2023-24 campaign that ultimately delivered us back‑to‑back promotions to the Premier League. A packed Stadium of Light set the stage for a Sunday evening opener and a hard‑earned 2-1 away win, which sparked what would become an unforgettable season. We haven't been back to the Stadium of Light since. Will history repeat itself?

Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how Town's 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.

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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Ipswich.

Here are a couple of your ideas:

Toby: Keito Nakamura - dynamic, pacy and a constant threat for Japan. 14 goals from left wing-back for Reims suggests he is ready for a big move and why not Ipswich?

Jevs: Eli Just of New Zealand - quality player, young with so much potential and could be cheaper than many other forward options. Edin Dzeko - bring the Bosnia-Herzegovina striker back for one last swing at the Premier League. He's got so much experience which would rub off on the young strikers we already have.

Spotted someone you want for Ipswich? Let us know who and why he'd fit

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Ipswich Town fan and author Karl Fuller spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley on The Blue Hour about the club's managerial search after Kieran McKenna's unexpected departure earlier this month.

It has emerged former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-Wolves boss Gary O'Neil, who is now in charge of Strasbourg, are leading contenders for the Portman Road job.

"Ipswich Town need to act fairly swiftly, just to get someone in and get their feet under the table before they do start looking at new players," Fuller said.

"We are traditionally a slow club in terms of signing players in the month of June. Somebody in by the end of the week would be good.

"Replacing someone like Kieran isn't simply about finding a good coach. They've got to come in and build on the philosophy Kieran instilled into the club, and be somebody with progressive possession football, excellent player development, calm and analytical - which Kieran always was.

"Solskjaer would produce a bit of continuity, having worked with some of the guys currently at the club and having watched Ipswich a lot.

"O'Neil would be an obvious choice just purely on his Premier League experience. He has improved players and is another with calm personality, but he doesn't really get the juices flowing, does he?"

Fuller said he would "love Thomas Frank" but noted the former Brentford and Tottenham boss has recently ruled out a return to football management before next season.

Listen to the full episode of The Blue Hour on BBC Sounds

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Ipswich striker Ali Al-Hamadi says he and the rest of the Iraq squad want to give people "something to remember" as they prepare to open their World Cup campaign on Tuesday night against Norway.

Al-Hamadi, now 24, was a baby when his mother and father escaped Saddam Hussein's Iraqi regime in the early 2000s and moved to Liverpool.

He represented Liverpool schoolboys before joining Tranmere Rovers and eventually signing for Ipswich two years ago, spending last season on loan at Luton Town in League One.

He has scored five goals in 29 appearances for Ipswich.

"We know it's tournament football and we know upsets have happened before," Al-Hamadi told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"We just want to enjoy this experience and represent Iraq in the best way possible in terms of football, but also in terms of us as people, as a nation. We want to give people something to remember.

"If you go down you have to go down trying your best.

"There are people from all different backgrounds, cultures and environments, but at the root we're all Iraqi and we're coming here to represent our people.

"It's a joy to be a part of."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.

And to get in the mood as Ipswich prepare for their top-flight return, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.

Get in touch with your memories here

And make sure to come back to this page on Friday to see how Town's league fixture list has fallen.

Ipswich and Hull City are interested in England goalkeeper Nick Pope, with Newcastle willing to sell the 34-year-old for £5m. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley brings you The Blue Hour to discuss the latest on Ipswich's manager hunt, plus former Town defender Mick Mills joins to chat about Friday's release of the Premier League fixtures for next season.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Ipswich content on BBC Sounds

Richard Woodward
Fan writer

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It's 36 hours on and Ipswich Town supporters are still getting their heads round the idea that inspirational coach Kieran McKenna won't be in the home dugout next season.

Of minimum consolation is that the hugely popular McKenna won't take a position in the Portman Road away dugout either - at least for now...

The previous instance of an Ipswich managerial departure not being a sacking or "mutual consent" agreement was Sir Bobby Robson taking the England job in 1982. So millennial or Gen Z Town fans simply don't have a point of reference to process their current emotions.

Whether McKenna's departure before this particular Premier League campaign represents an existential crisis for the club will only be known only this time next year.

He was linked with an exit last time Town secured promotion to the Premier League. Leaving at that point (despite Ipswich going on to be relegated) would certainly have been catastrophic given how pivotal McKenna was to everything at Portman Road at the time.

And while his influence persists, the timing of his departure, with nearly two months until the big kick-off, does allow the club to reflect on approach.

McKenna himself saw the need to adapt his style of play to be less 'swashbuckling' last season after a few hammerings in the previous relegation campaign.

Might it be that the club's ambitious ownership - which has built up the infrastructure around the first-team manager to smooth handover transitions such as this - decides that survival at all costs is the modus operandi? Is now, therefore, a convenient time to bring in a specialist for such an objective?

Either way, Mark Ashton and the Ipswich Town board have to implement a succession plan for the first time in five years. It won't be easy.

Find more from Richard Woodward at the Blue Monday Podcast, external

For more reaction to McKenna's exit, listen to the clip below of Craig Finbow from the Blue Monday podcast speaking to BBC Radio Suffolk or find it on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your views on who should succeed Kieran McKenna as Ipswich Town boss.

Here are some of your comments:

Paul: I honestly don't know who I want as next Town boss. Huge shoes to fill and the names out there don't fill me with confidence. Hopefully, the club go under the radar again like they did when they appointed McKenna.

Tom: The focus needs to be on someone with Premier League experience who can slot in with minimal disruption. Currently, I can only think of one name: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. If not, then perhaps another gamble with someone unknown. Could be risky though.

Adrian: We need a manager who can continue taking us forward. I've not got anything against Gary O'Neil, but he's not for me. Liam Rosenior might be a good fit, or Thomas Frank.

Ollie: O'Neil would be a step backwards. If Ipswich are serious in wanting to establish themselves in the Premier League then they need someone better than McKenna.

Alex: Ambitious, particularly given his recent comments, but I'd love to see us go all out for Frank. We have great ownership, a new, state-of-the-art training ground and a track record of giving manager's time and influence, which would be a stable club to return to.

Tom: I would be happy with either O'Neil or Solskjaer. Both know what it takes in the Premier League and fit the mould of McKenna - being young, ambitious and a decent human being. Ole is known to be a good friend of McKenna's, which gives me a sneaky suspicion about him...

Adam: Rosenior was always top of my list. However, I would love Frank or Steven Gerrard to throw their hats into the ring.