Erik ten Hag’s job security is waning at Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have reportedly made initial contact with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna’s representatives over the possibility of him replacing Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. McKenna left the Red Devils in 2021 to take up his first head coaching job in League One with Ipswich and has guided them to the Premier League following back-to-back promotions.
Foot Mercato claim that the first concrete contacts have taken place between McKenna’s agent and the new INEOS hierarchy, with Ten Hag’s job on a knife edge before the upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City.
England boss Gareth Southgate is another name under consideration by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co, but he has played down talk of moving elsewhere before Euro 2024, leaving McKenna as a more appealing option who would be able to start immediately.
United want a new head coach in place well before the start of the season, should Ten Hag be sacked, with McKenna’s profile particularly attractive to the club’s new decision-makers after impressing with Ipswich.
Kieran McKenna has led Ipswich to consecutive promotions. (Image: Getty)
McKenna initially joined United in 2016 as their Under-18s manager, having joined from Tottenham, but was promoted to the first-team staff along with Michael Carrick two years later.
He replaced Rui Faria as Jose Mourinho’s assistant and was retained when the Portuguese coach was dismissed, going on to work with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick before leaving for Ipswich.
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United sent McKenna and Ipswich a classy message to congratulate them on their recent promotion, having secured second place in their first season back in the Championship.
“Masterminding back-to-back promotions with Ipswich as a manager represents a remarkable achievement for McKenna,” a news story on the club website read.
“With survival the main aim this season, Ipswich’s exploits have been truly astonishing. They have seen McKenna pick up the Championship Manager of the Season award, as well as two monthly accolades during the campaign.
“United fans will have an eager eye on the fixture list for the 2024/25 campaign to see when we will be reunited with McKenna and Ipswich. We won’t have long to wait, with the schedule due to be released at 09:00 BST on Tuesday 18 June. Congratulations to Kieran and Ipswich Town on their well-deserved promotion, we look forward to seeing you next season!”
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1899213/Man-Utd-next-manager-Kieran-McKenna