Manchester United has initiated contact with Ipswich manager, Kieran McKenna, as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag. The man who has led the Suffolk club to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after young coaches in football today.
This reported move comes amidst speculation about Ten Hag's future at the club following a disappointing second season at Old Trafford.
Kieran McKenna has emerged as an unexpected candidate to replace Erik ten Hag if the Dutchman leaves Manchester United at the end of this season. After achieving successive promotions at Portman Road, the Ipswich manager is attracting strong interest from other Premier League clubs.
McKenna spent six years on the coaching staff at Manchester United before taking charge of Ipswich in December 2021. His successful tenure with the Suffolk club, leading them back to the Premier League for the first time since 2002, has earned him high regard within the United hierarchy and elsewhere.
Initial contact between Manchester United and McKenna’s representatives is believed to have already been made. However, sources stress that it's still "early days".
The 38-year-old previously rejected an approach from Crystal Palace to take over from Roy Hodgson this season to stay at Ipswich. He initially served as an under-18s coach at United after joining from Tottenham in 2016, before becoming one of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s assistants.
Ipswich are determined to retain McKenna who signed a new deal last season that ties him with them until 2027. Any move by Manchester would likely involve paying considerable compensation.
Ipswich’s owners plan on holding talks with McKenna in the upcoming weeks and believe they can convince him to lead their entry into the Premier League next season.
Brighton have also registered their interest in acquiring the services of Kieran Mckenna but any potential appointment would depend upon Roberto De Zerbi moving on. De Zerbi, the current Brighton manager, has been linked with clubs in Serie A and is set to hold talks about his future with owner Tony Bloom at the end of this season.
The potential move for Kieran McKenna by Manchester United signifies a strategic shift in their managerial approach. While it's still early days, the interest from other Premier League clubs indicates that McKenna's successful stint at Ipswich has not gone unnoticed.
As we head towards the end of this season, it will be interesting to see how these negotiations unfold and McKenna's decision regarding his future. |
