However, Sheeran avoided McKenna’s blushes by leaving his guitar at home. It was probably for the best because the Ipswich boss admits he is “not very good” at karaoke.
“There was no chanting, but the players are delighted,” McKenna said. “They know this is a victory to cherish, but they also know where we want to get to as a club – winning games in the Premier League – and we know this season will be a challenge.
“It’s been quite a journey to get to this point.”
After failing to quickly return to the Premier League following relegation in 2002, Ipswich reached the Championship play-offs only once after 2005 and were relegated to League One in 2019.
“It’s a really significant moment and a day to cherish in the club’s recent history,” McKenna said.
“If you look at the path the club has taken over the last 22 years, the ups and downs, some heights but also some depths.
“For the fans to see their club win in the Premier League at a fantastic club like Tottenham, in a stadium like this against a team like that, it’s a great day for them.”
Ipswich failed to reach the play-offs in their first two seasons in League One and were 12th in December 2021, when McKenna was named Paul Cook’s successor.
In their first full season, the Tractor Boys rose to runners-up and repeated the feat in the championship last season.
“For us who have been involved in the trip for the last few years, it’s also a really significant day,” McKenna added.
“Everyone is delighted, but I know we will move on to the next thing very soon.”
