- McKenna has taken Ipswich to the Premier League via back-to-back promotions
- The 38-year-old is said to believe now is a good time to move on to his next job
- IAN LADYMAN: Brighton were devastated when Graham Potter left… they won’t be about Roberto De Zerbi. I think they had enough – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
In-demand Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is set to reject the offer of a new deal form the club, according to a report.
McKenna has taken the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League following successive promotions since taking over as manager in December 2021.
A number of Premier League clubs have expressed interest in appointing the 38-year-old, whose contract or Portman Road runs until 2027, with the likes of Chelsea and Brighton looking for managers.
He has been linked with both clubs, with his future far from certain as Ipswich look to being planning for life back in the top flight.
According to the BBC, McKenna will refuse to put pen to paper on a new long-term deal, putting clubs interested in his services on red alert.
Chelsea and Brighton have been put on red alert following reports that Kieran McKenna is set to reject a new contract offer at Ipswich
The 38-year-old has taken Ipswich from League One to the Premier League in two seasons
Chelsea and Brighton are looking for new managers after the departures of Mauricio Pochettino (left) and Roberto De Zerbi (right)
Manchester United, the club McKenna coached between 2016 and 2021, are also thought to be interested in appointing him as manager should they look to part ways with Erik ten Hag.
According to the report, McKenna is keen to take the next step in his career should the opportunity present itself.
He is said to be set for talks with Ipswich this week, with a new deal expected to be on the table, though McKenna and his assistant Martyn Pert are thought to be of the opinion that now is the right time to move on.
Though any departure would command a reported £4million, the Brit rejecting a new deal could be pivotal in Ipswich’s willingness to part ways.
According to the report, Chelsea, who parted way with Pochettino on Tuesday evening, are in pole position in the race, with Brighton just behind.
Ipswich, meanwhile, are said to be calm over the ordeal and recognise that interest will come with the success McKenna has brought.
Earlier this week, McKenna won the League Managers Association Manager of the Year award, finishing ahead of Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta.
‘This award is one of the most humbling and proudest moments of my life,’ McKenna, who was presented with the award by former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, said of his win.
‘It’s the best thing in the world and I’ve had good experience as a first-team coach, but to be a manager in the Premier League and go up against great managers is going to be a great challenge and something I can’t wait for.’
McKenna is thought to be of the opinion that now is a good time to take the next step in his career
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Manchester United are thought to be keeping tabs incase they decide to move on from Erik ten Hag
He also spoke on speculation linking him to other clubs, saying to Sky Sports: ‘When you do well as a manager or player, there is always going to be speculation. I know what we have achieved is not an ordinary thing, so of course there is going to be speculation.
‘But that’s not where my focus is. Tonight is about what we achieved last season [and] over the last couple of seasons, not just myself but everyone at the football club.
‘It’s been a wonderful couple of years so tonight is about celebrating that. I know that everyone is looking forward to next season and the club is going to be in a really good place going into that season.’
