Manchester United first-team coach Kieran McKenna has emerged as the frontrunner for the Town manager’s job and could be appointed before the end of the week, TWTD understands.

Speculation that McKenna was in the running for the job emerged yesterday with TWTD sources as well as those of other media confirming that the 35-year-old Northern Irishman is in talks.

While we understand the deal is currently not completed, Town may be in a position to make the announcement as soon as tomorrow.

County Fermanagh-born McKenna was a young player with Spurs - during Blues academy coach Bryan Klug’s time at White Hart Lane - but his career was ended by a hip injury before he had made a senior appearance, although he had won seven Northern Ireland caps at U21 level.

McKenna began his career in coaching with Spurs and in 2015 began running their U18s team having worked with younger sides.

In 2016 he moved on to Manchester United where he again worked with their U18s, winning U18 Premier League North in 2017/18.

Jose Mourinho made him an assistant manager in December 2018 and McKenna remained on Ole Gunnar Solskjær's coaching team after Mourinho’s departure along with Michael Carrick and continues to be a member of the staff.

Last month, it was reported that some Manchester United players were unhappy that McKenna was kept on following Solskjær's departure having found him "dry and school-teacherly in his delivery".

If the move goes through, as is expected to be the case, the one-time Enniskillen Town United and Ballinamallard United player will become Town's second Northern Irish manager following Jim Magilton.

Photo: Reuters

bluesince76 added 20:26 - Dec 16 Could be exactly what we need time will tell has my backing.
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Pettabelieveit added 20:57 - Dec 16 Clearly a split amongst us all on this one. Regardless of where we sit on that, one thing is for sure and that's he will need all of us to get right behind him. The players also need to do their part, because they are certainly underwhelming at the moment!
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Bluecasp added 21:05 - Dec 16 He's pretty bland in that interview clip. Not sure he is going to inspire the team.
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runningout added 21:14 - Dec 16 Wish I could be more thrilled. If he had something different about him he would go straight in and take Sunderland game. Nuff said
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SickParrot added 21:49 - Dec 16 He must be an outstanding coach to have worked with the first team at Utd for 3 years. His lack of managerial experience is a concern but maybe he will be Head Coach sharing managerial duties with a more experienced Director of Football. If some of the players at Utd didn't like him because he was "school teacherly" it indicates that he wasn't intimidated by them and that he didn't try to be their mate. I like that. Some of our players maybe reluctant to accept new ideas and criticism from such a young and inexperienced "gaffer" but as this group has already let down Cook and McGreal anyone who doesn't show 100% commitment on matchdays should have their contracts terminated. Fingers crossed that Ashton has picked a gem. My only hopes for this season is that the players do buy in to Kieron McKenna's ideas and that we finish in the top half of the table.

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