Fulham are currently searching for a new manager after it was officially announced that Marco Silva will leave Craven Cottage to replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica.
Kieran McKenna is Fulham’s top target to replace Marco Silva (Image: Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Kieran McKenna is thought to be keen to replace Marco Silva at Fulham, but the Londoners will need an £8m compensation fee to lure him away from Ipswich Town.
After weeks of speculation that Silva could leave Craven Cottage after being targeted by Benfica, Fulham confirmed on Tuesday that the long-serving Portuguese manager had indeed decided to move. The search for a successor to Silva, who helped Fulham establish themselves in the Premier League during his reign, has already begun, and McKenna is said to be strongly involved in the role.
McKenna’s stock remains high after masterminding Ipswich’s third promotion in four years, securing Ipswich’s return to the Premier League after struggling in League One when the Northern Irishman took over as manager in 2021.
According to talkSPORT, McKenna Fulham is not only the first choice to replace Silva, but the 40-year-old is also interested in a move to west London.
One possible hurdle to any deal could be the hefty compensation clause in McKenna’s contract. It will cost interested parties £8m to lure McKenna away from Portman Road following Ipswich’s promotion to the Premier League.
Thomas Frank has been named as an alternative target, but the Dane is currently not at Tottenham after being released by him in February.
McKenna attracted strong interest from rival clubs such as Chelsea and Manchester United when he first led Ipswich to the Premier League in the summer of 2024.
He then stayed on and signed a new contract. And although he was unable to prevent Ipswich from being relegated, he remained at Suffolk to oversee their immediate return to the top flight.
Silva heads to Benfica after five years in charge at Fulham (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Silva achieved Fulham’s all-time record for Premier League goals and wins and was offered a new contract by the club before choosing to leave. He is ready to replace Jose Mourinho at Benfica.
Fulham owner Shahid Khan praised Silva’s excellent work and hinted at the fact that the club have plans in place in case the manager decides not to extend his contract.
“Fulham and Marko have had great chemistry for five seasons, but change is inevitable in this game and we have prepared for this moment accordingly,” he said in a statement.
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