- Kieran McKenna has sensationally guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions
- The Northern Irishman is wanted by several clubs across the Premier League
- IAN LADYMAN: The Premier League title race went to the wire, it is not boring compared to other European leagues! – Listen to the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast
Kieran McKenna is interested in the Chelsea vacancy, though Ipswich are hopeful of convincing the Premier League‘s most-wanted manager into staying with the dangling of a new deal.
Despite the Stamford Bridge club’s ruthless reputation for chewing up head coaches, with Mauricio Pochettino the latest to leave on Tuesday, sources close to McKenna have described a desire to challenge himself at the highest possible level.
Yet the 38-year-old is now facing a dilemma that could define his coaching career. As well as Chelsea, McKenna is also in the running at Brighton after they parted ways with Roberto De Zerbi, while Manchester United could yet join the race if Erik ten Hag is dismissed as they prepare to face Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
McKenna is assessing his options, one of which includes staying at Ipswich – the club he led to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League.
He is contracted to Portman Road until 2027 and talks are expected to take place imminently, though the chances of agreeing a new deal are considered slim.
The compensation that would be owed to Ipswich, if a rival club proved successful in luring McKenna, is said to be around the £4million mark.
Mail Sport has been told that Chelsea are still being seen as desirable as they continue to make checks on candidates.
McKenna is not alone on their managerial shortlist, with Leicester’s Enzo Maresca rising as another contender in the running on Wednesday.
Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Girona’s Michel are also in contention, while Mail Sport has been told Brentford’s Thomas Frank is not interested in this particular job.
Chelsea are keen to make a swift appointment after moving on from Pochettino, with the sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart targeting a ‘young, progressive’ coach.
The club are aware that if they take too long, they will run the risk of a vacancy at United seeing them rivalled for their primary targets.
McKenna, who previously worked with Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and is a boyhood United fan, spoke at the League Managers Association’s awards in London on Tuesday when he won LMA Manager of the Year for leading Ipswich to the Premier League.