Kieran McKenna reportedly thinks he’s closing in on a sensational return to Manchester United as manager.
The Red Devils will face off with Manchester City in the final of the FA Cup today, with Erik ten Hag hoping to win some silverware after a ‘c**p season’ so far.
United lost to City in the final of the same competition 12 months ago.
But victory would boost Ten Hag’s chances of keeping his job, with the 54-year-old battling to swerve the sack.
Kieran McKenna thinks he’s closing in on a return to Man Utd ahead of today’s FA Cup final clash with Man City
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Several managers have been linked with United amid the uncertainty over the Dutchman’s future.
Mauricio Pochettino is one name in the frame to take over, with the Argentine currently available after his shock departure from Chelsea.
Thomas Frank has been linked, having worked wonders during his time at Brentford.
Thomas Tuchel is believed to have admirers at United, having won trophies with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, PSG and Borussia Dortmund over his career.
According to The Sun, however, it’s McKenna who is believed to be in the driving seat to take over.
The 38-year-old is viewed as one of the world’s best young managers, having guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions.
Chelsea and Brighton are both interested in McKenna as a result, with the young boss also previously working as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant at United.
But the publication says the Ipswich boss believes he’s closing in on a sensational return to Old Trafford.
It’s claimed his agents are ‘pushing hard for the deal’.
And while McKenna would be a gamble, United are ready to roll the dice once today’s fixture is out of the way.
Ten Hag has come out fighting and insists he expects to stay in charge.
It’s hard to see that happening, however, with all signs pointing to a parting of ways.
Earlier this week, meanwhile, McKenna was asked about his future.
And the Ipswich boss was coy, insisting there’s always going to be speculation when things are going well.
“When you do well as a manager, or as a player, there’s always going to be speculation,” he said.
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Kieran McKenna previously worked under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Man Utd
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“I know what we have achieved is not an ordinary thing, so there’s always going to be speculation.
“But that’s not where my focus is tonight, it’s about what we’ve achieved last season, what we’ve achieved over the last couple of seasons, not just myself but everyone at the football club.
“It’s been a wonderful couple of years and tonight’s about celebrating that.
“I know everyone’s looking forward to next season and I know the club’s going to be in a really, really good place going into that season.”
While United could sack Ten Hag, City would like to keep hold of Pep Guardiola.
Erik ten Hag could lose his job at Man Utd once today’s FA Cup final clash with Man City is out of the way
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The Spaniard recently said he was ‘closer to leaving than staying’.
But City want to tie Guardiola down to a new deal as they look to continue their dominance of English football in the years to come.