According to one bookmaker Town boss Kieran McKenna is among the favourites to be the next manager of Watford, however little ought to be read into the link.

The Hornets are currently managed by Roy Hodgson, who took over following Claudio Ranieri’s departure in January, but with the veteran former England boss appearing likely to be dismissed in the summer with the Hertfordshire side all but relegated from the Premier League.

McKenna is listed as 4-1 second-favourite by BetVictor behind former Watford skipper and current QPR assistant manager John Eustace, who is at 3-1, and ahead of former Watford boss Sean Dyche, who is at 8-1 having recently been sacked by Burnley.

Early next manager odds are notoriously speculative with the market moved by very little activity.

McKenna, who took over at Town in mid-December having previously been on the staff at Manchester United, was asked about potential interest in him from elsewhere at the Fans’ Forum in March and stated his intention to stay at Portman Road for the long haul.

“I wouldn’t be at the club if I didn’t think it could match my ambition,” he said. “I’ve moved here from the biggest football club in the world, a football club that has a very special place for me, that I grew up up supporting and I felt I had a really big part of going forward in the future.

“I wouldn’t have made the step to any football club, I wanted to go somewhere where there was a project, where there was the potential to grow something and to be there over a good period of time.

“That was the type of project that I was waiting for, that was the type of project [CEO] Mark [Ashton] and the club presented to me.

“That was very much my intention coming in here. From what I’ve seen first hand, that feeling has only been strengthened in terms of the ambition of the football club, the potential of the football club if we all get behind it.

“We know that’s going to be a long journey, I’m here to be a big part of that journey and to help guide the football club to where it wants to get to and obviously where ultimately I want to get to as a manager.

“I feel like I’ve worked at the highest levels of the game in club football and feel confident there and I feel that’s somewhere where I want to be again.

“That’s a journey that I want to take with Ipswich Town, that’s the direction that I want to develop this football club and that’s certainly where all my concentration is going to be.”

Photo: Matchday Images

brendenward35 added 11:27 - May 3 I'm pretty sure McKenna and Ashton have both had a good laugh at that news. McKenna is is not stupid so I think Watford is well and truly out of his mind. He likes it here gets along with the staff and the CEO and the owners had 1/2 a season to learn his trade and is raring to go next season to get us promoted. We are in safe hands with him at the helm and I won't be betting a penny on that one I know there's fools out there that will.

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runningout added 11:34 - May 3 even if story not entirely true. Not surprised KMcK will be wanted.
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grumpyoldman added 11:44 - May 3 Sean Dyche at 25-1 seems a good outsider bet
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 11:56 - May 3 Downward move, surely? No chance!
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Linkboy13 added 11:58 - May 3 That's ok @sick Parrott still think you're a pretty boy pretty boy.
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Ipswichbusiness added 12:05 - May 3 We will all have to get used to stories like these as the more successful he is the more interest it will generate.
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Suffolkboy added 12:09 - May 3 K M strikes as a sincere, genuine ,talented and eloquent chap ,who is also a great communicator . It's apparent ,too, that he's very much a family man and uprooting them so soon wouldn't be in his story book ! I think he's truly enjoying the challenge he's set himself ,with employers who value him and his purposeful approach ,and who will not only back him but share equally in the achievements ! Cannot ,fortunately ,see Kieron wishing to depart any time soon ,nor us wanting or needing to see him go ! Onwards ITFC COYB

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Crinkle59 added 12:14 - May 3 they should be done for taking money under false pretences
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ChrisFelix added 12:54 - May 3 Can't see this happening. Ignoring the past 20 years Ipswich are a bigger club than Watford
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Countryboyblue added 13:07 - May 3 Never going to happen. Our project is one I'm sure Kieran is all to pleased to be part of. He's to clever to be blinded by this report.
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Cambsrover14 added 13:30 - May 3 Lol this won't happen he has a good thing with you lot. Can't see him leaving to go to Watford
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TimmyH added 13:51 - May 3 KM won't be going anywhere near Watford believe me...sack sack sack that's all they ever do, there one of the clubs I cringe at when they get in the Premiership.
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ITFCsince67 added 14:20 - May 3 Is he really Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Monkey_Blue added 14:40 - May 3 The problem with being where we are is that better prospects are going to want him. Let's hope the owners are giving him everything he wants and I don't mean as they did with cook… freedom to hire his mates and an unlimited tab at the bar. If he goes we get Leam Richardson
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warksonwater added 15:23 - May 3 The second word is 'off' (the first word being 'hands', obviously).
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warksonwater added 15:25 - May 3 The second word is 'off' (the first word being 'hands', obviously)!
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chopra777 added 17:10 - May 3 It begger's belief that these bookies are so wide of the mark. KM has little managerial experience and no promotion credentials to date. He is still learning and will get A Grade from the Town next season. There is more chance of the Watford Gap disappearing than KM turning his back on us.
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therein61 added 17:30 - May 3 A very honest young man who i think we can hang our hats on as we move upwards starting next season when he has made the adjustments he clearly has in mind.
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dirtydingusmagee added 19:42 - May 3 the football season is over , now its the '' linked season'' everyone will be linked now till August .even the burger sellers .
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ThaiBlue added 19:48 - May 3 Absolute tripe.
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herfie added 09:37 - May 4 Watford = basket case of a football club. Of course their leaders(?) will recruit yet another individual to produce instant success. But someone as astute and intelligent as KM will give any unlikely approach a very short, sharp, response. Joining Watford would be the definition of madness! KM is not that person. Micky Mouse might be available!
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