With the Saints and the Foxes joining Ipswich in the Championship next season, all three promoted sides have suffered instant demotion.
It is the first time in Premier League history that the identity of all three relegated sides has been known with as many as four games to go, and the second time after 2005-06 that all three have been confirmed before May.
It is not difficult to understand why McKenna cut a resigned figure after the Wolves defeat, which left the Tractor Boys 12 points adrift of safety with seven matches remaining.
His team have lost a league-high 27 points from winning positions this season – including the loss against Wolves, who recovered from 1-0 down to triumph 2-1.
They have also struggled to turn Portman Road into a fortress, collecting just seven of their 21 points so far in front of their own supporters.
Only rock-bottom Southampton have picked up fewer points on home soil this season.
“There are so many lessons,” McKenna said. “Ours might be different from other clubs’ because we’ve climbed so quickly from League One. It’s been a massive challenge.
“There are many things we have done positively that will set us up well for the years ahead, and there are some things we could have done better and things we will learn from.”
Injuries have not been kind to Ipswich either this season. They were without 10 first-team players at Newcastle on Saturday, with Leif Davis’ suspension leaving them without a recognised left-back.
Discipline – or a lack of it – has also been an issue. Johnson’s dismissal was Ipswich’s fifth red card of the season – only Arsenal have had as many red cards in the top flight in 2024-25.
“[Red cards] have been costly,” McKenna told BBC Match of the Day. “I think we had one in my two-and-half years before this season.
“To have five this season is a reflection of a lot of things.”
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