The Master of Portman Road: Why Kieran McKenna is the Frontrunner for December’s Manager of the Month
As the dust settles on a frantic festive period, the EFL has officially announced the nominees for the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month for December 2025. Unsurprisingly, the name on everyone’s lips is Kieran McKenna.
The Ipswich Town boss has enjoyed a stellar month, guiding the Tractor Boys through a brutal schedule to firmly establish them as one of the favorites for an immediate return to the Premier League. With the winner set to be announced on Friday, January 16, 2026, we take a deep dive into the numbers, the tactics, and the standout moments that have made McKenna the man to beat.
1. The December Stats: A Month of Dominance
Ipswich Town entered December facing seven matches in just 28 days—a schedule that often breaks promotion-chasing squads. Instead, McKenna oversaw a run that catapulted the club into the top three of the Championship.
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Points Gained | 14 from 21 available |
| Record | 4 Wins, 2 Draws, 1 Loss |
| Clean Sheets | 4 |
| Key Achievement | Double victory over league leaders Coventry City |
The month was defined by defensive solidity and clinical attacking. Aside from a lone away defeat to Leicester City, Ipswich looked almost untouchable, particularly at the fortress of Portman Road.
2. Tactical Masterclass: The Coventry Double
The highlight of McKenna’s nomination is undoubtedly the way he dismantled league leaders Coventry City. In a rare scheduling quirk, Ipswich faced the Sky Blues twice in the same month—once at home and once away.
- The Home Leg (Dec 6): Ipswich ran out 3-0 winners. McKenna’s decision to start the young Norwegian Sindre Walle Egeli proved inspired, as the teenager scored the opener in a game where Ipswich “broke the press” with ease.
- The Away Leg (Dec 29): Traveling to the CBS Arena, McKenna delivered a tactical “shutout.” Goals from Jack Clarke and Wes Burns secured a 2-0 win, marking the first time all season a team had beaten Coventry at home without conceding.
McKenna’s ability to “pick players to suit opponents,” as noted by the EFL judging panel, was never more evident than in these two fixtures.
3. The “Portman Road Fortress”
Under McKenna, Portman Road has become the most intimidating away day in the Championship. December saw back-to-back home wins against Coventry and Stoke City, with the latter being a gritty 1-0 victory secured by a Jaden Philogene screamer.
McKenna has fostered a unique connection between the fans and the players. Following the Stoke win, he noted: “The crowd was outstanding and really gave us the push we needed. This was another step in the right direction.”
4. Who is Kieran McKenna Up Against?
While McKenna is the favorite, the competition for the December trophy is fierce:
- Javi Gracia (Watford): The veteran has revitalized the Hornets in his second spell, also picking up 14 points and moving Watford into the playoff spots.
- Sergej Jakirovic (Hull City): Despite losing star striker Joe Gelhardt to injury early in the month, Jakirovic led Hull to 13 points from five games.
- Vitor Matos (Swansea City): The former Liverpool coach has brought “aggression and energy” to Wales, securing four wins and three clean sheets.
5. The Road Ahead: Premier League Bound?
Should McKenna win the award tomorrow, it will be his second Manager of the Month trophy of the 2025/26 season (having previously won in September).
More importantly, it serves as a warning to the rest of the league. With players like Sindre Walle Egeli finding their scoring boots and the defense looking impenetrable, McKenna’s Ipswich are no longer just “contenders”—they are the pace-setters. As they move into the January transfer window, the nomination acts as a perfect recruitment tool for a club that looks destined for the top flight.
Summary of the News
- The Event: Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month Nomination.
- The Nominees: Kieran McKenna, Javi Gracia, Sergej Jakirovic, Vitor Matos.
- The Result: Winner announced Friday morning, Jan 16.
- The Legacy: McKenna is looking for his 4th Championship MOTM award of his career.