Ipswich Town chairman Mark Ashton says he is close to announcing who the club's next manager will be after interviewing numerous candidates. Three-time promotion winning boss Kieran McKenna dropped the bombshell that he had quit last Wednesday in order to take a break from the game. The EADT and Ipswich Star understands that current Strasbourg manager Gary O'Neil and ex-Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are the leading candidates to replace him. Ashton's comments came after the newly-promoted Blues discovered they would be beginning their 2026/27 Premier League campaign against Sunderland at Portman Road on August 22. Ipswich Town's manager search has been ongoing since McKenna's departure, with Ashton running a detailed process to find the right candidate. The club's chairman has been looking at the market for quite a period, considering various factors such as cultural basis and performance basis. Ashton has had the opportunity to meet a lot of people, including younger managers and older managers, and has conducted technical and cultural interviews. The club is clear on what type of person they are looking for, and Ashton believes they will have a manager in place soon. When asked about the number of people interviewed, Ashton said it was numerous, and he has tried to block out the noise and focus on the process. The club's board has been supportive, giving Ashton the option to get on with the process. Time is key now, and Ashton is confident that they will make the right decision for the club. Ipswich Town's fans may have different opinions on the choice of boss, but Ashton asks them to trust the club's decision. The club's chairman has considered various factors, including the manager's ability to represent the club and their technical and tactical analysis. The search for a new manager is almost over, and Ipswich Town will soon have a new boss in place. Ashton's process has been professional, and he is confident that they will find the right person for the job. The club's fans will have to wait a little longer to find out who the new manager will be, but they can be assured that the club is doing everything they can to find the right candidate.