Ipswich Town manager is one a four man shortlist to replace Ruben Amorim at Manchester United should the Red Devils opt for a change in the dugout, according to transfer expert Graeme Bailey.
The 39-year-old spent five years at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2021, initially as manager of the under-18s. He worked his way up into the first team coaching setup, acting as assistant manager under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskajaer and Ralf Rangnick.
McKenna soon became a wanted man and landed his first senior managerial role with Ipswich in December 2021, then of League One. His first full season saw him earn promotion, ending their four year stay in the third tier.
Their return to the Championship saw equal success and a second placed finish saw the Tractor Boys reach the Premier League for the first time since 2002. Despite suffering relegation at the first attempt, the ex-Tottenham Hotspur coach was praised for the job he undertook and continues to be linked with a number of roles, most recently at West Ham United.
Manchester United Continue To Monitor McKenna Progress
Manchester United’s woes in recent times have been well documented. Amorim was brought in to replace Erik ten Hag in November 2024 but his tenure so far has been a disaster.
Refusing to waiver from his preferred tactic of 3-4-2-1, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has win just nine of his 33 Premier League games in charge. This is the worst form from the 17 teams which have been ever-presents in the top tier over the last two seasons.
A dismal 3-1 defeat at Brentford at the weekend ramped the pressure up a notch. Although United are standing by their man, it is claimed that a shortlist has been drawn up in case there is no improvement in the coming weeks. According to Bailey, this includes McKenna. Speaking to TBR, he said:
“United are backing Amorim as they have since the day he arrived, let’s not suggest in any way they are not, but that said, there is concern within the club’s hierarchy about the performances, how can’t there be?
“Whilst the club are behind him and want him to succeed in the long-term, this is a result business. He has won just nine league games from 33 – that is not good.
“Off the back of that, United are doing their due diligence on options. Whilst not an active search at this point – Gareth Southgate’s name is on their list, along with the likes of Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and they have always appreciated the work of Kieran McKenna.”
