- Kieran McKenna’s preference is to manage Man United over Chelsea
- McKenna could replace Erik ten Hag, who is on the brink of being sacked
- Have Chelsea offered Manchester United a way out of the Erik ten Hag darkness through Mauricio Pochettino’s exit? – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! Podcast
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna‘s preference is reportedly to become Manchester United boss should Erik ten Hag depart.
McKenna, who has received high praise for guiding Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League, has been linked with several clubs, including United, Chelsea and Brighton.
However, as reported by I News, McKenna will delay his final decision on his future in case there is a possibility of him taking over at Old Trafford.
Reports suggest that United could sack ten Hag even if they overcome Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday given their struggles in 2023-24.
McKenna has strong connections with United, having previously been a youth coach at the club before stepping up to become part of the first-team coaching staff.
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna’s preference is to become Manchester United boss
United manager Erik ten Hag (left) is on the brink of the sack, while Mauricio Pochettino (right) left Chelsea via mutual consent earlier in the week after just one year in west London
It also emerged on Thursday afternoon that Man United chiefs had reportedly held talks with McKenna’s representatives as they look beyond Saturday’s FA Cup final.
According to Sky Sports News, representatives of McKenna met with United’s chief executive Omar Berrada and the club’s technical director Jason Wilcox last week to discuss the managerial role at Old Trafford.
McKenna has a deal until 2027 at Portman Road, with the compensation required to untangle him believed to be between £4million and £6m.
The 38-year-old has been at Ipswich since December 2021, taking over when they were 12th in League One.
That campaign he led them to 11th but since then he has masterminded two consecutive promotions, with fans flooding back to Portman Road.
Chelsea, meanwhile, are on the lookout for a new manager after parting company with Mauricio Pochettino following just a season in charge.
Brighton are scouring the market for a replacement for Roberto De Zerbi – who walked away from the Seagulls at the end of the campaign.
Apart from McKenna, Thomas Tuchel, Thomas Frank and Graham Potter will all reportedly be considered by the Red Devils should ten Hag apart.
Pochettino has also been linked with United, but McKenna will hope that he will be able to land the job.
Taking over at United, especially given the difficulties that the club have endured in recent years, would certainly represent a major challenge for McKenna.
The 38-year-old has led Ipswich to the Premier League with back-to-back promotions
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is considering McKenna as his seventh manager since taking over
However, the 38-year-old’s attacking style of play could prove to be popular with United supporters if he is appointed.
McKenna will have the upper-hand to the likes of Pochettino and Tuchel – given the fact that he previously worked with the Red Devils.
He previously worked as United’s U18 coach before being promoted to assistant manager under Jose Mourinho ahead of the 2018-19 season.
Once Mourinho left, McKenna remained at the club until 2021 when he joined Ipswich.
