Gary O'Neil is poised to take the reins at Ipswich Town, with an agreement reached between the Suffolk club and Strasbourg for the 43-year-old's services.
The former Bournemouth and Wolves manager will make his return to English football after just five months in France, where he guided Strasbourg to an impressive Europa Conference League semi-final run.
O'Neil's appointment follows Kieran McKenna's decision to step away from management after nearly five years at Portman Road.
McKenna cited a desire to spend more time with his family as his reason for departing.
Gary O'Neil is set to become the next Ipswich manager
| PAThe outgoing boss left on a high, delivering Ipswich's second top-flight promotion in three seasons on the Championship campaign's final day.
During his spell at Bournemouth, O'Neil oversaw 37 matches following Scott Parker's dismissal after just four games of the 2022/23 campaign.
He recorded 11 victories, six draws and 20 losses, ultimately keeping the Cherries in the Premier League with a 15th-place finish.
His tenure at Wolves followed before the move to Ligue 1, where Strasbourg concluded the season in eighth position domestically.
The highlight of O'Neil's French adventure came in European competition, steering the club to the Conference League's final four.
Kieran McKenna stepped down as Ipswich Town boss
| GETTYA former West Ham midfielder during his playing days, O'Neil has built a reputation for pragmatic management across his coaching career.
Ipswich moved swiftly to identify McKenna's successor, with the club eager to avoid a prolonged search ahead of their Premier League return.
Several high-profile names featured on the Tractor Boys' radar during the process. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has been without a club since Besiktas dismissed him last summer, was explored as a potential option.
Norwegian tactician Kjetil Knutsen also attracted interest from the Suffolk outfit, with his Bodo/Glimt side having impressed on the European stage in recent campaigns.
However, O'Neil remained the primary target throughout for Ipswich's hierarchy. Compensation for the manager is not anticipated to present any obstacles in finalising the deal.
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