Kieran McKenna is likely to reject an offer of a new contract from Ipswich Town with Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton interested in making him their new manager.
The 38-year-old has guided The Tractor Boys back to the Premier League for the first time in 22 years, securing back-to-back promotions in his first senior management role.
Chelsea parted company with Mauricio Pochettino on Tuesday night with McKenna one of the leading contenders to take over at Stamford Bridge.
He is also under consideration at United, where the Northern Irishman previously worked for five years – firstly as the club’s Under-18 manager before becoming Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s assistant alongside Michael Carrick in 2018.
Brighton are also eager to appoint McKenna following Roberto De Zerbi’s decision to leave the club.
Ipswich are desperate to keep their manager but BBC Sport report he is keen to take the next step in his career, with both hie and his assistant Martyn Pert feeling now is the right time to move.
McKenna has a contract with Ipswich until 2027 with the club expected to offer him a new deal next week to try and keep him at Portman Road.
Those talks are expected to fail, however. It is expected whichever club prises McKenna away will have to pay at least £4million in compensation.
Chelsea are thought to be in pole position to make McKenna their new head coach. United’s managerial situation remains unknown with the club still to confirm whether Erik ten Hag will remain in charge beyond Saturday’s FA Cup final.
McKenna, a boyhood United fan, sought to distance himself from speculation over his future this week.
He told Sky Sports: ‘Look, the club has had such a positive season and has such a positive future ahead.
‘We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years. When you have success like that there always comes speculation and things like that, we’ve seen that every summer.
‘But I know how much everyone is looking forward to the season, the club is in a fantastic path and everyone is just really looking forward to the season ahead.’
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