Kieran McKenna helped Ipswich Town secure an automatic return to the Premier League after relegation, but it remains to be seen whether he will be in charge next season
Ipswich Town may struggle to keep Kieran McKenna this summer (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Ipswich Town could lose highly-rated head coach Kieran McKenna this summer, with the Northern Irishman said to be “increasingly likely” to leave Portman Road for a new job.
McKenna was a revelation in his first managerial job at Ipswich, overseeing three promotions in four years, including relegation last season and an immediate return to the Premier League this season. But the 39-year-old’s achievements at Suffolk have not gone unnoticed, with McKenna being touted for other top-flight jobs.
After leading Ipswich to the Premier League for the first time following back-to-back promotions two years ago, McKenna was considered for a number of top roles, including the vacant vacancy at his former club Manchester United.
He eventually went on to manage Ipswich in the Premier League, but remained in the job to carry out their promotion campaign in response to this year’s relegation. However, new reports have cast doubt on McKenna’s chances of remaining at Portman Road this time around.
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The Sun reports that McKenna is expected to leave the club if he receives an offer from a Premier League rival this summer, with Ipswich also “composing” a shortlist of possible replacements.
Crystal Palace are one of the teams that could make a move for McKenna, as they prepare to appoint a new head coach to replace the departing Oliver Glasner.
The Eagles are believed to have Andoni Iraola as their top target to take over. However, the popular Bournemouth manager also has interest from Chelsea, with Palace likely to turn their attention to McKenna if Iraola proves unavailable.
McKenna led Ipswich Town to promotion this season (Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
Fulham could also join the move for McKenna as uncertainty continues over Marco Silva’s future. He has also been praised by Chelsea and his contract expires at the end of the season, but there is currently no agreement in place to keep him at Craven Cottage.
McKenna signed a four-year contract with Ipswich in 2024 after winning promotion to the Premier League. These terms include a hefty fee, believed to be around £5 million, meaning his move would not be cheap for any club.
Ipswich, who were struggling in League One when McKenna took over, secured promotion to the Premier League with a 3-0 win over QPR on the final day of the Championship season.
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