“Kieran McKenna ‘Likely’ to Reject Ipswich Contract Amid Interest from Big Clubs”
Kieran McKenna is expected to reject a new contract offer from Ipswich Town amid interest from Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion. Manchester United might also target the 38-year-old if they decide to replace Erik ten Hag.
Previously an assistant coach at Old Trafford, McKenna has gained renewed attention after leading Ipswich to back-to-back promotions, culminating in their return to the Premier League since taking charge in League One midway through the 2021/22 season.
Despite McKenna appearing committed to Ipswich during the LMA award ceremony, where he won Manager of the Year, a BBC Sport report on Wednesday suggested he feels “the time is right to move.”
Consequently, upcoming contract talks with Ipswich, aimed at securing his future with the club, are likely to be unsuccessful.
A £4 million release clause exists for McKenna and his assistant coach Martyn Pert, but Ipswich remains “calm,” seeing it as an expected challenge
Chelsea are searching for a new manager following their split with Mauricio Pochettino, while Brighton needs to replace Roberto De Zerbi.
Manchester United, where McKenna spent over five years working under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after initially managing the Under-18 squad, might consider him if Erik ten Hag is dismissed.
McKenna’s accomplishments this season, in just his second full year as a senior manager, earned him the LMA award, surpassing Pep Guardiola, who led Manchester City to a historic fourth consecutive title, and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta. Achieving back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League is a rare feat, last accomplished by Southampton in 2012 under Nigel Adins.
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