Football pundit Don Goodman says he was pleased to see boss Kieran McKenna stay at Ipswich Town - and believes that gives the club a chance of surviving in the Premier League.

Town's brilliant young boss was a man in demand at the end of last season, having guided the Blues to back-to-back promotions and a long-awaited return to the Premier League.

He was linked to the top jobs at Manchester United, Chelsea and Brighton, but ultimately signed a new deal at Portman Road.

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And ex-striker Goodman - who irked many Town fans last season with what they perceived to be criticism of the club - told OLBG that McKenna's decision was a 'win-win'.

 "I'm pleased by it (McKenna staying), more than anything," he explained. "We don't know if he was offered another job but if he was, it must have been very tempting.

Goodman compared McKenna to ex-Burnley boss Vincent KompanyGoodman compared McKenna to ex-Burnley boss Vincent Kompany (Image: PA)
"If you work in football, whether that be as a manager, director of football, chief executive or scout, you back yourself to make the step up.

"But it's a win-win with him staying at Ipswich, for both McKenna and the club. He gets to continue building on what he's done so far in an environment where he has the support of Mark Ashton, the hierarchy and the fans.

"Even if Ipswich struggle in the Premier League, I don't think his reputation will be damaged.

"I'd compare him with Vincent Kompany in terms of how well he did to get Burnley into the Premier League.

"Obviously, it didn't go the way he would have hoped but his reputation suffered no damage and it never felt like he would be sacked. He then ended up getting the Bayern Munich job."

Don Goodman hit back at Luke Woolfenden after Town's promotionDon Goodman hit back at Luke Woolfenden after Town's promotion (Image: PA)
Sky Sports pundit Goodman got embroiled in a public spat with hometown hero Luke Woolfenden in the wake of Town's promotion - but says he thinks McKenna's Blues will fancy their chances of defying the odds and staying up in 2024/25.

He explained: "Ipswich are different to Burnley, as Vincent did not compromise his principles after getting promoted but Ipswich were a lot more versatile and tactically flexible in their success.

"Kieran and Ipswich will fancy their chances of competing with those five or six teams that will struggle.

"Stability is a massive thing. A new manager would have to come into the club, get to know the players and assess where improvements would be made, with their plans/tactics potentially being different to those that would have been planned for with Kieran McKenna. 

"That would have been a very difficult thing in such a stable environment and in such a short space of time.

"They've given themselves the best chance of survival by persuading Kieran that it's best for all concerned that he remains at the club."