| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans 16:42 - Dec 13 with 15451 views | textbackup |
Genuinely calling for KMc to be their manager.
As much as it would hurt if/when he departs, it would hurt me more seeing him slagged off if they hit a stumbling block. |  |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 17:35 - Dec 13 with 2382 views | unstableblue |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 17:23 - Dec 13 by nrb1985 |
Are you genuinely saying that if Manchester United came calling now he’d say no to stay with us on a shoe string budget vs the parachute clubs, trying to get us up to the PL, only to then be up against again just trying to keep the club in the PL?! This While United play Europa or CL football and sign players for 75 - 100m a pop…
I hope you’re right but I fear you probably are not! |
First off I don’t think Man U would come calling, McKenna hasn’t achieved enough as yet
If they did he knows enough about the Glazer set-up and club to know whether it’s a good project for him.
Currently they’re a basket case from all accounts. Leaking roofs, terrible CEOs, poor recruitment,
glazers hated by the fan base. The Ratcliffe money and direction may change this.
So to answer your question, Man U are not going to ask, but if they did McKenna probably has a better insight into Man U as to whether it’s a poisoned chalice or not.
It’s a mega club, a different planet, but uniquely he knows.
I think Town fans forget that in a way McKenna dropped down to be with us, it’s not that he was a rookie. He’s prepared Man U first teams.
I don’t think it was a good environment for him when he left, there were stories of senior players not liking his training sessions. |  |
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| McKenna AGE comparison to Premier League managers on 17:36 - Dec 13 with 2382 views | _clive_baker_ |
| McKenna AGE comparison to Premier League managers on 17:26 - Dec 13 by unstableblue |
In my rambling criteria above, I referenced him wanting to develop his managing skills in this great Town environment, with the view he’s still young and starting out in his managerial career… but is he relatively young?
McKenna is 37
The Premier League managers are thus:
Klopp 56
Pep 52
Thomas Frank 50
Arteta 41
Moyes 60
Silva 46
Cooper 44
Howe 46
Haag 53
Kompany 37
De Zerbi 44
Emery 52
Edwards 40
Dyche 52
Iraola 41
Ange 58
Poche 51
O’Neill 40
Wilder 56
I guess he’s still relatively young, but he’s bloody football obsessed and ambitious. As stated I think he’ll leave us for a top 5-6 premier side with the right ownership… and it will boil down to the risk he wants to take in terms of readiness to step-up
He’s worked at the highest level with Man U on match day, so he knows what’s required. I do remember that big name players weren’t happy with the level of detail in McKenna training. |
I do think that's where things become a little different. I'm not saying he's got us to the top of the Championship with a few name drops, but there's certainly an element of him getting buy in as a result of his pedigree. A few players have mentioned that 'he's worked with the best', and McKenna is emotionally intelligent enough to tow the right line in using that to his advantage and not sounding like Paul Lambert. Even in press conferences, in supporter events. One mans 'smarmy' is most people's 'OK, he knows what top class looks like'. You can imagine an Ipswich squad that felt rudderless being so thankful and keen to impress. There's obviously a lot more to it, recruitment, his coaching, man management that makes it sustainable, but I do think that gave him a nice head start here, despite never being a number 1.
I'm not sure that's true if he went to United, probably the opposite. 'Your only #1 experience is from Ipswich mate', its a very different challenge to overcome. A lot of previously successful and high profile managers have tried and failed there, I don't think they've all become crap overnight. There's systemic issues with the playing squad IMO and a few too many passengers. Of course there's some onus on the manager to change that and recruit well, but it's not an easy thing to do. |  | | |
| Here you go… on 17:42 - Dec 13 with 2350 views | unstableblue |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 17:35 - Dec 13 by unstableblue |
First off I don’t think Man U would come calling, McKenna hasn’t achieved enough as yet
If they did he knows enough about the Glazer set-up and club to know whether it’s a good project for him.
Currently they’re a basket case from all accounts. Leaking roofs, terrible CEOs, poor recruitment,
glazers hated by the fan base. The Ratcliffe money and direction may change this.
So to answer your question, Man U are not going to ask, but if they did McKenna probably has a better insight into Man U as to whether it’s a poisoned chalice or not.
It’s a mega club, a different planet, but uniquely he knows.
I think Town fans forget that in a way McKenna dropped down to be with us, it’s not that he was a rookie. He’s prepared Man U first teams.
I don’t think it was a good environment for him when he left, there were stories of senior players not liking his training sessions. |
I think the context being that McKenna has close connection to Man U (and Spurs) but I think it was pretty toxic before he left
https://www.football365.com/news/manchester-united-stars-concerned-basic-trainin
https://metro.co.uk/2020/02/06/man-utd-manchester-united-coach-kieran-mckenna-12
From McKenna himself, again confirms (worryingly) that he’s feel perhaps confident in stepping up if the club was right:
In 2016, McKenna was poached by Manchester United and the chance to work at the club he grew up supporting – initially as the Under-18s coach – was too good to turn down. He was quickly noticed by Jose Mourinho and when his long-serving assistant Rui Faria left two years later, McKenna moved up to the first-team staff and became even more prominent under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and, briefly, Ralf Rangnick.
“Being at Man United there was massive pressure,” McKenna explains. “Every loss is a disaster and the expectation is really high, the scrutiny is really high and it does develop your resilience, your ability to block out noise, your ability to focus on the things that are important and to control what you can control and not worry about the things outside of that. As a manager at any club that is important. It has helped me a lot.”
At United it was also the first time he had worked with first-team players – some of whom were not just among the biggest names in the game but were older than him.
“I found it pretty comfortable, to be honest,” McKenna says. “Coming in under a legendary manager like Jose was a great experience and a healthy pressure because you want to do well. You want to earn the respect of the manager and the players and make sure the sessions you are taking are ‘on point’. I felt like I was able to do that with every manager I worked under there. Probably one of the biggest things is realising players are not that different whatever level you go to.” | |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 17:55 - Dec 13 with 2313 views | cressi |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 17:05 - Dec 13 by _clive_baker_ |
I think that's wishful thinking. There's a lot wrong at Man United but lets be honest, he's a life long United supporter, been at the club before, it's genuinely one of the biggest in the world. If they come a calling there's not a cat in hells chance he wouldn't take it. To be honest I would wish him well and thank him, he's done a hell of a job here. Hopefully it can continue a bit longer. |
Not a chance look what happened to Potter these clubs have zero tolerance want instant results I imagine that Chelsea already looking at Poch thinking do we give him more money in January or keep in case a new manager in the summer,
I feel McKenna will be here till at least the summer and longer if promoted if not clubs like West Spam may come calling. |  | | |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 17:57 - Dec 13 with 2315 views | J2BLUE |
I don't think he would go to be honest. Sounds mad but McKenna is going right to the top.
Even with his excellent coaching there is little to work with. They have spent a fortune on dross. Newcastle will win the title before they do.
Somewhere like Brighton would be ideal for him IF he does leave. I won't be losing any sleep over United at the moment. |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:02 - Dec 13 with 2304 views | textbackup |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 17:33 - Dec 13 by Ryorry |
"Bigger job" - ie leading ITFC into a European campaign and competing well there?!
I think KM & our new owners are a lot shrewder than some posting on this thread. He won't be unaware of the legacies that SAR & SBR built - seems to me that those trump even Fergies's glorious ManU years.
He may go to MUFC eventually, but I think is also be intelligent enough to bear in mind there's a risk of souring his lifelong feelings about the club if it were to all go horribly wrong with whatever owners - esp when you look at the way ownership of clubs is going - MUFC, Newcastle etc. |
Are you saying that SAR’s 1 league, and SBR’s 1 fa cup and 1 uefa cup are a bigger achievement than SAF’s 2 Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 1 European Cup Winners' Cup? | |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:03 - Dec 13 with 2306 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 17:23 - Dec 13 by nrb1985 |
Are you genuinely saying that if Manchester United came calling now he’d say no to stay with us on a shoe string budget vs the parachute clubs, trying to get us up to the PL, only to then be up against again just trying to keep the club in the PL?! This While United play Europa or CL football and sign players for 75 - 100m a pop…
I hope you’re right but I fear you probably are not! |
Yes. Firstly, we have no idea what he's thinking, but having a connection to Man U doesn't mean it's the smartest career move right now. You have to remember he's still relatively new to management. He's sensible, and will be thinking what's best for his career not what's the biggest most shiniest looking job.
People in this thread think it's naive to think he wouldn't jump at the chance. I think it's naive to think he automatically would. |  |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:04 - Dec 13 with 2291 views | strikalite |
You just never know in football, but I can't see it right now, he's got a team promoted from League One is his only achievement to date is how ManU will see it, it's a huge step up dealing with that ManU squad and expectations from the off - you need a lot more credit in the bank if things started badly... |  | | |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:09 - Dec 13 with 2249 views | Ryorry |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:02 - Dec 13 by textbackup |
Are you saying that SAR’s 1 league, and SBR’s 1 fa cup and 1 uefa cup are a bigger achievement than SAF’s 2 Champions League titles, 13 Premier League titles, 5 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 1 European Cup Winners' Cup? |
SAF didn't go on to become an England Manager who won the World Cup though did he, nor one who managed England & got them to a semi-final of the WC - so yes, both SAR & SBR 's managerial careers trumped Fergie's.
Edit - forgot to say, nor did SAF take an 'unfashionable' club languishing in the third tier to flourish in the top tier. Manu were already a 'big club' before his arrival. SAR & SBR both *made* us into a big club. [Post edited 13 Dec 2023 19:09]
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:11 - Dec 13 with 2251 views | MK1 |
Firstly, don't think Man Utd will go for him yet.
He would turn down the Palace job.
He will take the West Ham job. Moyes is leaving in the summer. He will finish above Man Utd in his first couple of seasons. Then Man Utd will be interested.
He will then take them back to where they were 10 years ago.
After 6 hugely successful seasons with them, Real Madrid will then be his next club. Champions of Spain and Europe would follow over many years.
England will then be his next job. Making them European and World champions.
Sir Kieran McKenna will retire with statues at Old Trafford, The Bernabeu and Wembley.
Secondly, he could just as easily stay here and make us kings of England and Europe for many years to come, retiring with a statue at Portman Road.
I think the first is more likely, but hope for the second. |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:19 - Dec 13 with 2226 views | Ryorry |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:11 - Dec 13 by MK1 |
Firstly, don't think Man Utd will go for him yet.
He would turn down the Palace job.
He will take the West Ham job. Moyes is leaving in the summer. He will finish above Man Utd in his first couple of seasons. Then Man Utd will be interested.
He will then take them back to where they were 10 years ago.
After 6 hugely successful seasons with them, Real Madrid will then be his next club. Champions of Spain and Europe would follow over many years.
England will then be his next job. Making them European and World champions.
Sir Kieran McKenna will retire with statues at Old Trafford, The Bernabeu and Wembley.
Secondly, he could just as easily stay here and make us kings of England and Europe for many years to come, retiring with a statue at Portman Road.
I think the first is more likely, but hope for the second. |
Was about to post - and I hope he doesn't mind me mapping out his career for him! ;)
He'll be the third manager of ITFC to build a legacy for us, both domestically and in Europe, and go on to manage England  | |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:26 - Dec 13 with 2210 views | gordon |
While he's on a steep upward trajectory at ITFC I could imagine him staying - if we get promoted and we get a few decent results early next season but we're looking at a relegation fight, I could imagine him leaving for whichever of the top 8 or so clubs ditch their manager first. |  | | |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:38 - Dec 13 with 2188 views | pennblue |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 16:54 - Dec 13 by bluelagos |
If I were in charge of Man Utd - I'd want a serious clear out.
Paul Cook is clearly the man. Honest. |
He did a pretty damn good job for us! | |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:46 - Dec 13 with 2169 views | hype313 |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:03 - Dec 13 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Yes. Firstly, we have no idea what he's thinking, but having a connection to Man U doesn't mean it's the smartest career move right now. You have to remember he's still relatively new to management. He's sensible, and will be thinking what's best for his career not what's the biggest most shiniest looking job.
People in this thread think it's naive to think he wouldn't jump at the chance. I think it's naive to think he automatically would. |
Dolly, are you back on the Glue? |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:52 - Dec 13 with 2149 views | BlueandTruesince82 |
They don't deserve him |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:56 - Dec 13 with 2135 views | Mach_foreignBlue |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 16:46 - Dec 13 by Kieran_Knows |
If that bald fraud who is currently pretending to be a manager there at the minute carries on the way he does, then I think I would genuinely be concerned about them coming in for him. |
Why is he a bald fraud? He is just yet another Man Utd who isn't able to rouse that demoralised mob. Some players have been there for years and they are just letting yet another manager down.
Player-power. A similar problem to what would have under Hurst, Lambert and Cook. |  | | |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:59 - Dec 13 with 2126 views | MK1 |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:09 - Dec 13 by Ryorry |
SAF didn't go on to become an England Manager who won the World Cup though did he, nor one who managed England & got them to a semi-final of the WC - so yes, both SAR & SBR 's managerial careers trumped Fergie's.
Edit - forgot to say, nor did SAF take an 'unfashionable' club languishing in the third tier to flourish in the top tier. Manu were already a 'big club' before his arrival. SAR & SBR both *made* us into a big club. [Post edited 13 Dec 2023 19:09]
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I will defend Ipswich and our history to the hilt, but that is a bit of a stretch. SAF is regarded as the greatest British manager of all time.
Love your devotion, but that is a difficult one to defend. | |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:59 - Dec 13 with 2128 views | The_Flashing_Smile |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:46 - Dec 13 by hype313 |
Dolly, are you back on the Glue? |
I've never been "on the Glue" but what is so objectionable about my post? Seems fairly logical and evenhanded to me. | |
| Trust the process. Trust Phil. |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 19:05 - Dec 13 with 2113 views | ArnieM |
He will eventually leave us for one of the top 5 PL clubs, without a doubt. But I don’t think it’ll be for the next 3-4 yrs. he’s pivotal to the Town “ project”. He’s happy snd settled here. I doubt very much it’d be Man Utd that he goes to any especially not atm. |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 19:10 - Dec 13 with 2093 views | Ryorry |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 18:59 - Dec 13 by MK1 |
I will defend Ipswich and our history to the hilt, but that is a bit of a stretch. SAF is regarded as the greatest British manager of all time.
Love your devotion, but that is a difficult one to defend. |
I've just added an edit which might help explain. | |
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| You back on the Meths? (n/t) on 19:13 - Dec 13 with 2087 views | Bloots |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:59 - Dec 13 by The_Flashing_Smile |
I've never been "on the Glue" but what is so objectionable about my post? Seems fairly logical and evenhanded to me. |
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| "The sooner he comes back the better, this place has been a disaster without him" - TWTD User (July 2025) |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 19:17 - Dec 13 with 2068 views | NthQldITFC |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:03 - Dec 13 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Yes. Firstly, we have no idea what he's thinking, but having a connection to Man U doesn't mean it's the smartest career move right now. You have to remember he's still relatively new to management. He's sensible, and will be thinking what's best for his career not what's the biggest most shiniest looking job.
People in this thread think it's naive to think he wouldn't jump at the chance. I think it's naive to think he automatically would. |
Very well put. There's a difference between a player (who can get a nasty injury and see his career ended) and a manager when it comes to career development. There's also a big difference between a talented young manager who has a deep belief in himself and a flash in the pan manager.
McKenna is clearly the former (not even a budgie would disagree with that as I've been reading on the OinkUn) and as such will know that his time at the very top will come and his best approach is to build his reputation, experience and authority at a place where he has every advantage but relatively little pressure. |  |
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| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 19:26 - Dec 13 with 2030 views | DarkHorse |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 17:57 - Dec 13 by J2BLUE |
I don't think he would go to be honest. Sounds mad but McKenna is going right to the top.
Even with his excellent coaching there is little to work with. They have spent a fortune on dross. Newcastle will win the title before they do.
Somewhere like Brighton would be ideal for him IF he does leave. I won't be losing any sleep over United at the moment. |
Why would he go to Brighton when we'll be above them next season? |  | | |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 19:27 - Dec 13 with 2027 views | MK1 |
| I’m seeing a few tweets from MUFC fans on 19:10 - Dec 13 by Ryorry |
I've just added an edit which might help explain. |
A massive club who hadn't won anything of note for years. I am not belittling what SAR & SBR did, far from it, but SAF built 3 sides that are still pretty much the benchmark for any club. I would put SAR & SBR up there with pretty much anyone, but SAF achievements will probably never be beaten. | |
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| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 19:33 - Dec 13 with 2016 views | nrb1985 |
| Shall we go through McKenna leaving criteria again?! on 18:03 - Dec 13 by The_Flashing_Smile |
Yes. Firstly, we have no idea what he's thinking, but having a connection to Man U doesn't mean it's the smartest career move right now. You have to remember he's still relatively new to management. He's sensible, and will be thinking what's best for his career not what's the biggest most shiniest looking job.
People in this thread think it's naive to think he wouldn't jump at the chance. I think it's naive to think he automatically would. |
You don't have any idea what he's thinking either yet go on to say "(he) will be thinking"!!
Career progression isn't a nice linear uptrending line. Sometimes you have to make the big move whether you feel ready or not. I forget who said it but there's a saying that if you wait for the right time you can be waiting forever...
I don't see how he couldn't take it knowing full well:
a) This chance may never come up again.
b) United are, as has been said, a bit of basket case so even if he's sacked he'll still find another good job like Rodgers did after Liverpool and many more have done before and since. | | | |
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