Football’s best up-and-coming managers: Kieran McKenna, a relentless entertainer

This is the second article in a series looking at some of European football’s most innovative up-and-coming managers. Points won by managers Manager Games played Points won Kieran McKenna 84 179 Ian Evatt 85 155 Paul Warne 86 154 Pep Guardiola 66 152 Dave Challinor 85 150 Richie Wellens 85 149 Mikel Arteta 66 148 Nigel Clough 85 148 Steve Evans 85 147 Steven Schumacher 84 145 McKenna is arguably the most exciting young manager in England for his ability to win matches with a style that gets fans out of their seats. ⤵️ — Ipswich Town March 17, 2024 Davis’ 14 assists last season and 14 so far in 2023-24 reflect the way Ipswich use wide players to get crosses in, with Conor Chaplin an attacking threat at No 10 and Wes Burns another asset out wide. While Ipswich have played more league games than Manchester City, Arsenal or Liverpool, McKenna’s points-per-game average still places him in the top three managers in the country. Points per game won by PL + EFL managers Manager Games Points PPG Pep Guardiola 66 152 2.3 Mikel Arteta 66 148 2.24 Kieran McKenna 84 179 2.13 Jürgen Klopp 66 131 1.98 John Mousinho 62 122 1.97 Unai Emery 54 105 1.94 Darren Ferguson 60 113 1.88 Erik ten Hag 66 122 1.85 Ian Evatt 85 155 1.82 Paul Warne 86 154 1.79 Ipswich have conceded the most goals in the top five in the Championship this season but they have also been involved in entertaining 4-3 wins over Blackburn Rovers and Rotherham United and a recent 3-2 win over Bristol City.