Ipswich close in on O'Neil as new head coach

Ipswich are close to appointing Gary O'Neil as their new head coach. The 43-year-old is poised to replace Kieran McKenna, who stepped down from the Portman Road post earlier this month. Compensation with O'Neil's current club Strasbourg is still to be agreed, but is not expected to be an issue for the Tractor Boys. Tim Jenkins and Neil Critchley are also expected to move to Suffolk with ex- Bournemouth and Wolves boss O'Neil, having worked with him in France. Former Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was also in the running for the job this week. BBC Sport reported Ipswich's interest in O'Neil earlier this month and the Strasbourg boss has long been admired by the club's hierarchy. His French club finished eighth in Ligue 1 last season and reached the Europa Conference League semi-finals, losing to Rayo Vallacano. It was the first time Strasbourg had reached the last four of a European competition. O'Neil played at Bristol City when current Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton held the same role at Ashton Gate. Strasbourg had initially been confident of keeping him following his January arrival, but O'Neil will return to the Premier League for the first time since leaving Wolves in December 2024. Ipswich are looking for a new head coach after McKenna stepped down last week, despite leading them back to the top flight by finishing second in the Championship last season. …