Ipswich Town close to appoint Gary O’Neil as coach

Ipswich Town is on the verge of appointing Gary O’Neil as its new head coach, with an agreement reached to bring the current Strasbourg manager back to English football. The move, expected to be finalized imminently, would see the 43-year-old take charge of the newly promoted Premier League club following Kieran McKenna’s departure earlier this month.

The club has been conducting a search since McKenna stepped down, citing a desire to spend more time with family after guiding Ipswich to a second-place finish in the Championship last season and securing their top-flight return. After assessing candidates, the club’s hierarchy narrowed the shortlist to O’Neil and former Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Advanced negotiations between Ipswich, O’Neil, and BlueCo-the ownership group with ties to Chelsea and Strasbourg-have progressed rapidly in recent days, reaching a decisive stage. Sources indicate terms have been agreed, with only final contractual details remaining. An official announcement is anticipated early in the week beginning June 22.

O’Neil, who only took over at Strasbourg in January, is set for a swift return to England. In his brief tenure in France, he...