Ipswich Town’s return to the Premier League has been hailed as another remarkable achievement in the club’s recent rise under Kieran McKenna. However, former Premier League manager Tony Pulis believes the hard work is only just beginning.

After suffering relegation from the top flight in the 2024/25 campaign, Ipswich responded in impressive fashion by securing an immediate return to the Premier League. The achievement reinforced McKenna’s reputation as one of the brightest young managers in English football and strengthened belief that the club is moving in the right direction.

Yet according to Pulis, promotion alone is no guarantee of success at the highest level.

The former Stoke City boss believes McKenna now faces the biggest challenge of his managerial career as Ipswich prepare to take on some of the strongest and most talented teams in world football once again.

A Different Challenge Awaits

McKenna’s achievements at Portman Road have been widely praised. Guiding Ipswich from League One to the Premier League in such a short period remains one of the most impressive managerial accomplishments in recent years.

However, Pulis argues that survival in the Premier League requires a completely different approach from the one that earns promotion.

During their rise through the divisions, Ipswich were often among the strongest teams in the league. They regularly controlled possession, dictated matches and entered games as favourites.

That reality changes dramatically in the Premier League.

Instead of facing teams they are expected to beat, Ipswich will frequently come up against opponents with greater resources, superior squads and significantly more top-flight experience.

For Pulis, that means McKenna must show he can adapt when circumstances are no longer in his favour.

Learning From Past Mistakes

Ipswich’s previous Premier League campaign ended in disappointment as the club struggled to bridge the gap between the Championship and the top flight.

Despite moments of promise, they finished the season with only 22 points before returning to the second tier.

The experience was painful, but it may also prove valuable.

Pulis believes McKenna now has a far clearer understanding of what is required to compete successfully at the highest level. Having experienced the demands of Premier League football first-hand, he will enter the new campaign with lessons that simply cannot be learned from the Championship.

That knowledge could become one of Ipswich’s biggest advantages.

The Importance of Pragmatism

One of the key themes of Pulis’ assessment is the need for greater pragmatism.

Throughout his managerial career, Pulis built teams capable of competing with technically superior opponents through organisation, discipline and physical intensity. His Stoke City side became renowned for making life difficult for some of the biggest clubs in England.

He believes newly-promoted teams must recognise that survival often requires flexibility rather than stubbornly sticking to one style of play.

Recent examples across English football have shown that teams willing to adapt can improve their chances of staying up significantly. Tactical adjustments, smart recruitment and an understanding of when to prioritise results over aesthetics can often make the difference between survival and relegation.

Why Ipswich May Be Better Prepared

There is genuine optimism around Ipswich heading into the new season.

Both McKenna and the club’s hierarchy have spoken about how much stronger the club is compared to its previous Premier League campaign. The infrastructure has improved, the squad has gained valuable experience and expectations are more realistic.

Supporters will also take confidence from the resilience shown by the team in securing an immediate return to the top flight.

The challenge remains enormous, but Ipswich are unlikely to be entering the season with the same level of uncertainty they faced previously.

A Defining Season for McKenna

While McKenna’s reputation remains exceptionally strong, Pulis believes the coming campaign could be a defining moment in his managerial career.

Promotion success has already established him as one of the game’s most promising coaches. Now comes the next step: proving he can build a team capable of surviving and competing in the Premier League.

If Ipswich can establish themselves in the division, it would represent another major milestone in the club’s remarkable journey.

But as Pulis has warned, the Premier League is unforgiving, and sentiment counts for little once the season begins.

For Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna, the real test is about to start.