The Reform UK leader pulled the plug on the announcement at Portman Road during the recent international break, with many questions about how it came to be still unanswered. It sparked a heated political debate among supporters, with chairman and CEO Mark Ashton apologizing “for any hurt, pain or distress caused”.
After a 15-day break from action, the Blues resume their Championship campaign when they host Birmingham City on Easter Monday (3pm).
Asked for his thoughts on Farage-gate and how it has affected his career, McKenna replied: “Of course, as a manager you don’t like to see a situation that has caused disharmony among the supporters and people who care about the club.
“There’s been a lot of thought and discussion on it, and frankly, I think adding my own opinion to that is of no use.
“In terms of the impact it has had on my career, apart from the feeling that you don’t like to see conflicts, not much. I am focused here, working with players who have not been on international duty, trying to prepare for the last eight games.
“That’s where my focus is, the staff and the players. We’re looking forward to Portman Road. The biggest contribution I can make is getting ready for Monday, getting ready to run and making sure we continue to deliver a performance that the fans can be proud of, enjoy and go back to.”
Asked if, as reported by the Guardian, Farage’s visit was discussed in the dressing room, McKenna replied: “No, not at all.
“We had a group of players on international duty, a group of players whose main goal is to return from injury, and a group of players who are preparing for the last month of the season.
“Of course, when there’s any kind of situation around the team, whether it’s losing a game, or a player coming or a player going, anything at all, as a manager, you’re always going to check the players’ feelings. You talk to a few of your players to make sure the dressing room is in a good place and I’m confident in where the dressing room is.
Asked what kind of conversation he had with chairman and CEO Ashton in the past few days, McKenna replied: “It’s always, like always. We talk about everything related to the football club.
“I have been informing him this week, as always, how the training is going and how the players are coming back from injury or from internationals. In fact, we talked about the situation of (Farage) a little at the end of last week and that’s it. Besides, it has been a normal form of communication.”
When asked if he was concerned that the events of the past few days could affect the atmosphere at Portman Road on Monday, McKenna replied, “It’s hard for me to comment.
“But if you ask me if I have any worries in the training ground here with the staff, with the players, I honestly don’t. I feel like everyone is together, motivated and eager to run.
“As for how the fans feel about things like that, that’s not something I can say.
“Our home support has been amazing during my time here. The best way we can get that support behind the team and keep everyone loud and pushing us is to give a really strong performance in Ipswich that the supporters can be proud of.
“That’s what I can control and the players can control now. I really believe we will do that on Monday and when we do I’m sure the supporters will be behind us.”
Asked if he had a message for fans heading into Monday’s game, McKenna replied, “No, I don’t think they need a message from me.
“Our supporters were smart. We know how much they love the team. I said from the day I arrived here, the passion for their football team hit you immediately. So I don’t think anyone will need a rallying call from me.
“Like I said, you never accept a situation that causes dissension. But at the same time, I hope our supporters will know how important they are to us. If we succeed, their support can be a big part of it.
“I think that the club has an incredibly bright future. Hopefully, next month it will be included. But I think, despite that, there are many things that we should have, regarding the short, medium and long-term future of the football club.
“We have an opportunity now, in the next month, maybe two opportunities in the next two months, to go and get something that the club has done once in the last 25 years, which is playing Premier League football. So what a great moment for the club.
“I think the supporters have seen this team try to develop over time, improve and strive to improve and strive to get results in a very difficult division. Also, I know how hard we will work to give the supporters the end of the season they want.
“I thought the atmosphere in the first half against Millwall was good and the players rose to the occasion with a really good performance. We need to take another step now on Monday.
“I am very confident that if we give a performance on the pitch, that the supporters will be behind us, as they always are.”
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