Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League after a 3-0 loss to Newcastle, with Ben Johnson’s first-half red card highlighting the self-inflicted issues that plagued their season.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak converted a penalty after Jacob Murphy was fouled by Julio Enciso in first half stoppage-time.
Dan Burn’s 56th-minute header doubled Newcastle’s lead and William Osula’s 80th-minute goal left Ipswich with no chance of beating the drop.
Third-bottom Ipswich are 15 points behind fourth-bottom West Ham with four games left, ensuring their first season in the top-flight for 22 years will end with an immediate return to the Championship.
Out of their depth among the Premier League elite, Ipswich have won just four of their 34 league games.
“We’ve been through it the last few weeks, we knew it was pretty likely. At the end we have fallen short but it’s not for lack of effort,” McKenna said.
“We know there’s a time for reflection. Today the mathematical completion doesn’t change too much. We’ve been through the emotions.
“It’s been an incredible journey from the middle of League One to competing in the Premier League in an unprecedented way.”
Their relegation alongside Southampton and Leicester, who were both already condemned to the drop, means all three promoted sides will be back in the second tier next season.
For the first time in Premier League history, all three relegated teams have been confirmed with four games remaining.
Ipswich’s fairytale journey from League One to the Premier League had inspired football romantics before their swift return to the Championship.
