McKenna rejects Brighton & Man United for Ipswich stay | OneFootball

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is set to end speculation over his future by signing a new long-term contract with the club, according to The Athletic.

The 38-year-old has become one of the hottest properties in English football after masterminding Ipswich Town’s remarkable return to the Premier League.

McKenna’s spell at Portman Road was his first foray into management. He sealed promotion from League One to the Championship in his first full season before leading the club back to the top flight for the first time since 2002.

This achievement didn’t go unnoticed, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton & Hove Albion all reportedly interested in luring him away.

McKenna was a front-runner to replace Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea after his departure, but the Blues reportedly moved on from him over the weekend despite holding him in high regard.

He has also been linked with a return to Manchester United, where he previously spent five years as U18s coach. He was part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom staff.

The Loughborough sports science graduate’s coaching career began at Tottenham Hotspur, where he oversaw their academy’s performance department.

He steered their U18s to the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in 2016 before departing for Man United.

With the Premier League fixtures for the 2024/25 season set to be announced next month, Ipswich can now breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to an exciting season in the Premier League with their manager.

McKenna’s decision to stay loyal to Ipswich is a smart move for the young manager, who is still building his reputation.

Joining Chelsea and Manchester United may be tempting, but these clubs are high-pressure environments that can swallow a promising manager.

Brighton have a reputation for selling crucial players without the manager’s consent, which could hinder McKenna’s long-term vision.

Ipswich is a stable club where he can solidify his legacy. McKenna has the perfect platform to continue his remarkable journey and cement his reputation.