Ipswich Town face a real fight to keep hold of manager Kieran McKenna this summer as interest from a raft of Premier League clubs intensifies.
The 38-year-old has emerged as one of the hottest young coaches in English football after guiding the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions. As a result, the Suffolk-based side will now play in the Premier League next season for the first time in 22 years.
McKenna is under contract at Portman Road until 2027 having penned a new long-term deal last summer. This followed their second-placed finish in League One, ending their four-year stay in the division.
His success throughout the last two years has been astronomical. It’s no surprise to see a number of clubs in the upper reaches of the top tier take notice, especially from former club Manchester United. The Red Devils have endured a turbulent campaign and rumours are rife that new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe may look to make a managerial change this summer.
Current boss Erik ten Hag looks to be on borrowed time, although could save his job with a win in the FA Cup final against Manchester City next weekend. However, McKenna is said to be on a shortlist of potential candidates to replace the Dutchman. The Northern Irishman operated as a coach at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and briefly, Ralf Rangnick.
United aren’t the only team to take note though. According to The Guardian, Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion are also keen.
The Seagulls are gearing up for managerial search after it was announced yesterday that current head coach Roberto de Zerbi will leave the post following the club’s final Premier League fixture this afternoon. News immediately surfaced that McKenna was a leading candidate as Bayern Munich look to bring de Zerbi to the Bundesliga.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are undecided as to whether Mauricio Pochettino will remain at Stamford Bridge next season. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss oversaw a miserable start to the campaign, although an excellent second half of the campaign has seen the Blues recover. A point in their final game against AFC Bournemouth this afternoon will see them guarantee a sixth-placed finish, although they could still slip into fifth with a win.
It is said that an end-of-season review will take place in the coming days, where a decision will be made regarding the Argentine’s future. If they do opt to make the cut, McKenna is claimed to be ‘in their sights’.
Writer’s View
This speculation isn’t going away. Ipswich know they hold the upper hand due to the time remaining on McKenna’s contract, and you have to feel that he will remain at the club next season.
Having guided the Tractor Boys from League One to the Premier League in such a short period of time, he will be better placed to remain at Portman Road and may feel that he wants to have a shot at the top tier with the team in which he has achieved so much success. This is the scenario which makes the most sense. Next season is somewhat of a free hit. His stock wouldn’t be damaged whatsoever as Ipswich are expected to struggle.
A big job beckons, but Chelsea would be career suicide, as would Manchester United at this stage. There may be more legs in the Brighton links, but it could feel as somewhat of a sideways step.
Head of Writing
