After receiving two promotions at Portman Road, Kieran McKenna has emerged as a surprising contender to succeed Erik ten Hag should the Dutchman depart Manchester United at the end of the current campaign. The manager of Ipswich is also drawing significant interest from other Premier League clubs.
Before taking over at Ipswich in December 2021, McKenna served as a coach at Old Trafford for six years. It is said that the United leadership holds McKenna in high regard for his role in guiding the Suffolk club to its first Premier League appearance since 2002.
He is rumored to be seriously considered to succeed Ten Hag in the event that United decides to fire him following a disappointing second season in charge. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the co-owner, is expected to assess his status following the FA Cup final against Manchester City next Saturday.
Although sources have emphasized that it is still “early days,” it is thought that United and McKenna’s agents have already had first contact. The 38-year-old, who joined United from Tottenham in 2016 as an under-18s coach before moving on to become one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistants, turned down a chance from Crystal Palace to succeed Roy Hodgson this season in order to remain at Ipswich.
McKenna, who signed a new contract at the end of the previous season tying him to the team until 2027, is someone that Ipswich is reportedly determined to hang onto. Although Ipswich’s owners intend to speak with the Northern Irishman in the coming weeks and think they can persuade him to guide the team into the Premier League, any move is likely to necessitate paying hefty compensation.
Brighton is rumored to have expressed interest in McKenna as well, but any possible appointment on the south coast would be contingent upon Roberto De Zerbi’s departure. The Italian is scheduled to have further discussions over his future with owner Tony Bloom at the end of the current season. He has been linked to Serie A clubs.
The former midfielder, who was forced to retire at the age of 22 owing to a hip injury, has also previously attracted the attention of Brentford. According to rumors on Monday, Thomas Frank is another candidate to take over at United should Ten Hag depart.