Ipswich Town & Burnley handed big Kieran McKenna, Scott Parker boosts in Brentford manager hunt | OneFootball

Keith Andrews is the leading contender for the Brentford job, after they had been linked with Burnley's Scott Parker and Ipswich's Kieran McKenna.

Keith Andrews is the ‘leading contender’ for the Brentford job as they step up their search for Thomas Frank’s replacement.

The Danish coach left the Bees to join Tottenham Hotspur after they sacked Ange Postecoglou, which opened up a vacancy at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Since then, a host of names have been linked with the role, with reports claiming that Burnley’s Scott Parker and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna were both targets.

Keith Andrews is the frontrunner for Brentford job

Naturally, that left both clubs concerned, as Parker’s reputation is high right now after he led Burnley to promotion during his first season at Turf Moor.

Meanwhile, whilst the Tractor Boys have just been relegated from the Premier League, McKenna is a highly regarded head coach after the work he has done with Ipswich, which saw him take the club from League One to the top-flight.

However, it appears they aren’t being actively pursued by Brentford, as journalist Pete O’Rourke claims that Andrews is the favourite for the job.

“Keith Andrews is emerging as the leading contender to replace Thomas Frank at Brentford.”

That would be a bold move by Brentford, as Andrews is yet to be a manager in his own right, with his previous coaching experience coming as an assistant at MK Dons, Ireland and Sheffield United.

His current job is with Brentford, as he was named as their set-piece coach last year, and he has seemingly impressed the hierarchy.

Ipswich will know Kieran McKenna speculation is inevitable moving forward

This will be a relief to Burnley and Ipswich, but the Suffolk outfit will be used to speculation surrounding McKenna, and, realistically, it’s not going to end any time soon.

The Northern Irishman has established himself as one of the most exciting young coaches in the country after his work at Portman Road, and that will put him on the radar of some clubs higher up the pyramid.

With McKenna having signed a contract that runs until 2028, Ipswich won’t be panicking right now, and the only focus will be on reshaping the squad to ensure they can push for promotion next season.

Therefore, they will carry on as usual, but the Brentford job did feel like one that could tempt McKenna, so it will be pleasing for all connected to Ipswich if Andrews is announced as Frank’s successor in the coming days.