Kieran McKenna’s decision to step down as the manager of Ipswich Town – and temporarily walk away from football altogether – came as a shock to fans and players alike.
Just weeks prior, he had helped the club secure another promotion to the Premier League and, arguably, his stock had never been higher.
The intensity of the past five seasons, however, had taken a toll, and, as he said upon his departure, he was “looking forward to a break” after “giving so much”.
The 40-year-old also said he would be “dedicating some time to my family,”, external something musician Ed Sheeran has also hinted at doing following the end of his current tour.
But needing to step away from high-pressure environments is not something unique to elite football managers and singing superstars.
According to Mental Health UK, one in five people – or two in five 18-24-year-olds – took time off work in the last year due to poor mental health caused by stress.
Its 2026 Burnout Report also showed the risk of burnout was still “stubbornly high”, with nine in 10 adults experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure and stress.
While it has not been suggested McKenna suffered burnout, Prof Valerie Gladwell, director of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing at the University of Suffolk, said “he really needs to be looking after his own health”.