Ipswich Town has secured a spot in the Premier League for the first time since 2002 after clinching the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship. Their victory over Huddersfield with a 2-0 scoreline on the final day of the regular season sealed their promotion, leading to jubilant scenes at Portman Road with a pitch invasion.
This achievement marks Ipswich's second consecutive promotion, a remarkable feat for the team affectionately known as the 'Tractor Boys.' The resurgence of Ipswich can be attributed to the appointment of Kieran McKenna as manager in December 2021 when the club was languishing in the third tier.
Leeds United, with notable American ownership including golf stars Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, was the only team capable of challenging Ipswich for the second spot but fell short by a three-point margin, losing 2-1 to Southampton at home.
Following their relegation from the Premier League in the 2001-02 season, Ipswich faced financial difficulties and dropped to the third tier in 2019 for the first time in over six decades. McKenna, a former Northern Ireland youth-team player turned coach, has instilled a philosophy of expansive and attacking football that has propelled Ipswich back to the top flight.
Leeds, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City are set to battle it out in the playoffs for the third promotion spot. Leeds will face Norwich over two legs, while Southampton takes on West Brom. The playoff final is scheduled to take place at Wembley Stadium on May 26.
Meanwhile, Birmingham City, co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, suffered relegation to the third tier despite a victory on the final day of the season. Brady, who assumed the role of advisory board chairman in August, aimed to bring a winning mentality to Birmingham, a club that last competed in the Premier League in 2011.
However, Birmingham's season was marred by challenges, including a brief and unsuccessful managerial stint by former England striker Wayne Rooney, who was dismissed after just three months in charge in January.
