Ipswich boss backs Birmingham in Championship push

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna believes Birmingham City will challenge for promotion from the Championship this season.

Ipswich boss backs Birmingham in Championship push

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna said Birmingham City look set to be a strong Championship contender for the 2025/26 season. Birmingham finished last season with a 111-point League One title and are among bookmakers’ favourites for promotion. McKenna, who led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions in 2023 and 2024, warned that predicting outcomes is less important than what teams deliver week by week.

McKenna praised Birmingham’s recruitment and said the league will be highly competitive. He argued that momentum is less decisive than daily work and consistency, adding that teams must bring effort twice a week and maintain good processes to turn potential into results. The two sides meet on opening night at St Andrew’s, a fixture McKenna described as a tough test for both teams.

The comments show how Championship teams balance hype with realism. McKenna’s cautious stance on momentum highlights a broader truth: a season is a long grind, not a single standout show. Birmingham’s continued investment hints at an ambition to push higher, suggesting their promotion push is more than a warm season preview. The opening-game focus also reflects how managers manage pressure, public opinion, and the media narrative around favorites.

For Birmingham, the conversation signals belief in depth and resilience, while Ipswich signals that last season’s success has raised expectations but not guaranteed results. The fixture becomes a statement piece for both clubs: to prove the season is about daily discipline, not headlines, and to show they can translate potential into consistent performances across a demanding schedule.

Highlights

The season will test the balance between ambition and execution.