What went wrong and what next for Ipswich?

The club itself has been prepared for a descent due to Ipswich Town’s rapid ascendancy to the top.

Their 22-year exile from the top flight was ended by successful promotions from League One to the Premier League last summer, but they have struggled to resist a full-resumption of the Championship.

Champions League-chasing Newcastle, who capitalized on Ben Johnson’s red card to win 3-0 in the first half, sealed the Tractor Boys’ fate on Saturday afternoon.

Even within Portman Road, Ipswich’s relegation is not unexpected. Financially and tactically, they are in better shape than the relegated rivals Southampton and Leicester.

For manager Kieran McKenna and his players, who looked crestfallen as they applauded their fans at full time, the sound of Michael Salisbury’s final whistle at St James’ Park was still painful.

“We’re disappointed and gutted that our dream is over,” defender Luke Woolfenden said. We haven’t been there this season. We probably let ourselves down too often, in my opinion. “

McKenna, however, acknowledged that after losing to Wolves at Portman Road earlier this month, he had come to terms with the possibility of relegation.

All three promoted teams have experienced immediate demotion as a result of the Saints and Foxes joining Ipswich in the Championship next season.

With as many as four games left, the identity of all three relegated sides has been known for the first time in Premier League history, and it is the second time since 2005-06 that all three have been confirmed before May.

With seven games left, the Tractor Boys were 12 points adrift of safety, so it is not difficult to understand why McKenna cut a resigned figure.

This season, his team have lost a league-high 27 points in winning positions, including the 2-1 victory over Wolves against them.

In front of their own supporters, they have struggled to turn Portman Road into a fortress, only netting seven of their 21 points so far.

This season, only Southampton, who are at the bottom of the standings, has scored fewer points on home soil.

There are “so many lessons,” McKenna said. Because we have risen so quickly from League One, “Ours might be different from other clubs.” It’s been a significant challenge.

There are many positive things we’ve done that will help us prepare for the future, and there are some things we could have done better and that we can take away. “

This season, Ipswich has suffered neither injuries. With Leif Davis’ suspension leaving them without a recognized left-back, they were without 10 first-team players at Newcastle on Saturday.

A lack of discipline has also been a problem. Only Arsenal have had as many red cards in the top flight as Arsenal have in 2024 or 2025, so Johnson’s dismissal was Ipswich’s fifth of the season.

According to McKenna, “Red cards have been expensive.” In my two and a half years leading up to this season, “I believe we had one.”

The transition to the top flight was always going to be significant for a League One club two years ago, and Ipswich had to significantly increase its recruiting efforts to bridge the achievement gap.

The Tractor Boys added Jaden Philogene worth £20 million in January after spending about £120 million last summer.

In a business decision, the club expects to earn money from this summer or beyond on Liam Delap, Jack Clarke, and Jacob Greaves.

Although the investment did not succeed in keeping them in the division, Ipswich believes there is still value in their squad.

The obvious illustration of this is Striker Delap, who has a contract clause for relegation release and is on track to earn the club at least £30 million.

The 22-year-old has become the club’s standout performer with 12 Premier League goals, and he is expected to leave in the summer.

Delap is alleged to be conscious of making the right decision rather than refusing to accept the biggest club’s biggest offer. He has not been pressed to leave.

The future of McKenna will also be up for debate.

Before they appointed Oliver Glasner, he was close to joining Crystal Palace in February, but his flirtations with Brighton, Chelsea, and Manchester United ultimately failed before he signed a new deal in April.

Despite being relegated, he will continue to be a hot property, but Portman Road has no known exit route.

McKenna intends to take the reins of Ipswich in the Championship, with the goal of an immediate Premier League return in the future.

When the club was in League One, he said, “I was proud to lead it.” When the club was in the Championship, I was proud to lead it now in the Premier League. Therefore, that doesn’t significantly alter my perspective.