Kieran McKenna ‘set to sign new Ipswich deal as Man Utd suffer humiliating blow in bid to replace Ten Hag’
KIERAN MCKENNA could sensationally be set to stay at Ipswich as he edges closer to a new deal, reports suggest.
Mckenna, 38, has been linked with the Manchester United job to replace under fire Erik ten Hag.
The Northern Irishman has led the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions.
Consequently, he has become highly coveted by a number of Premier League outfits who are either without a manager or are considering their options.
Chelsea, Brighton and Man Utd have all looked at appointing McKenna
He was considered a frontrunner for the Blues following Mauricio Pochettino‘s departure and as a replacement for Roberto De Zerbi at the Seagulls.
Meanwhile, Man Utd’s new co-owners are said to have held talks with McKenna as part of a four-man shortlist in the event they part ways with Ten Hag.
But now according to The Athletic, McKenna will end speculation on his future by committing to a new long-term contract at Ipswich.
McKenna has won 75 of his 131 games in charge of Ipswich, who are his first managerial job.
He spent time at Man Utd as an assistant coach to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before he was appointed Ipswich boss in December 2021.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Ipswich secured promotion to the second tier in his debut season by coming second in League One, before repeating that feat in this season’s Championship.
The club were last in the top flight in 2002.
Meanwhile, Leicester boss Enzo Maresca looks set to be named as the new manager of Chelsea following talks between the clubs.
THE RISE AND RISE OF McKENNA
Few managers have risen so dramatically as Kieran McKenna.
But then few were tipped for coaching success so young.
London-born McKenna, now 38, retired as a player aged just 22 due to a chronic hip injury.
He’d begun with Northern Irish sides Enniskillen Town United and Ballinamallard United before joining Tottenham in 2002.
But by the time he was forced to quit seven years later, he’d failed to make a single senior appearance.
However, after graduating from Loughborough University, Spurs appointed him Head of Academy Performance Analysis.
It was then, in two years guiding Manchester United Under-18 where his reputation soared fastest.
Having won the Premier League Northern Division title, McKenna was promoted all the way up to Jose Mourinho’s assistant in 2018, remaining high up in the backroom under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.
Ipswich took the plunge on him in 2021.
And after an impressive half-season in League One, he took the Tractor Boys up in his first full campaign – repeating the feat this term to restore the club’s long-lost top-flight status.
Now, one way or another, McKenna is poised for his greatest challenge in management – either keeping Ipswich up or moving to a major club.
SUNSPORT'S TRANSFER NEWS LIVE
STAY in the know this summer with The Sun's transfer experts.
Chelsea have been given permission from Leicester to speak to Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool and Chelsea are eyeing a summer move for Crysencio Summerville.
Premier League clubs are targeting Tosin Adarabioyo, who will be a free agent when his Fulham contract expires next month.
Follow our LIVE TRANSFER BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.