Confirmation from Brighton and Hove Albion that manager Roberto De Zerbi will be leaving at the end of the season has renewed speculation linking Kieran McKenna with the Seagulls and the Blues boss has emerged as the bookmakers’ early favourite for the job.

De Zerbi’s exit had been expected with McKenna long having been viewed as among the managers who would be in the Seagulls’ thoughts as his replacement.

At lunchtime, Brighton announced that tomorrow’s game against Manchester United would be De Zerbi’s final match in charge with various sources subsequently reporting that the Town boss will be a leading contender to take over.

Since the announcement, bookies have named McKenna as a 13/8 favourite to become the new manager at the Amex.

Earlier in the week, McKenna was linked with Manchester United, where he was previously U18s coach and on the first-team coaching staff, but with the story appearing little more than speculation.

Previously, McKenna is understood to have been spoken to by Crystal Palace before they appointed Oliver Glasner their new manager in February, while West Ham had also been linked prior to Julen Lopetegui emerging as their successor to David Moyes.

Reports later in the day claim Chelsea are eyeing McKenna with Mauricio Pochettino’s future apparently up in the air.

Asked about other clubs showing interest in the Northern Irishman by Sky News yesterday, Blues CEO Mark Ashton responded: “Those are challenges that success will always bring. I’d certainly rather have the challenges of success than the challenges of failure.

“But Kieran’s been great. He signed a new long-term contract last summer and he’s been in the office, he hasn’t had a day off, he’s been working by my side tirelessly on recruitment and planning and analysis and tactics for next season.”

Asked if there are any plans to add to Portman Road’s statues of managers in McKenna’s honour, Ashton smiled: “Good question. I think if we have a good Premier League season, we better get building now.

“He’s been key to us, not only is his tactical and technical ability quite incredible but his values and the way he treats people and the way we work as a team has been key and I’m sure Kieran will be excited about pitting his wits against the best coaches in the world.”

Quizzed about potential interest from other clubs and whether his job at Town isn’t done for him yet following the 2-0 victory over Huddersfield which secured the Blues’ promotion to the Premier League earlier this month, McKenna said: “No, I love it here, it’s a fantastic club, I’m so proud to be the manager of this football club and I’ve worked so hard at it every day, so I give so much of myself and [so have] the people around me for the last couple of years. I’m just so focused on enjoying that journey.

“That sort of speculation’s been there for the last two years, to be honest, and I’ve shown loyalty to the club through that and I’m really pleased that I’ve stuck with it and achieved what we’ve achieved. There’s some big and exciting steps to come for the football club.”

McKenna, who was spotted at Stansted Airport this morning, is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2027 with Town previously reported to have included a £4 million release clause in the deal the 38-year-old signed last summer.

Photo: TWTD

blues1 added 07:43 - May 19 So he's the favourite with sky bet. Just as he was for the Palace job. Means nothing. How many times does he have to say he loves it here before fans stop panicking every time he's linked with a job elsewhere. The only one that would concern me would be utd. But don't see them taking a risk on him just yet.
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tractorboybig added 08:32 - May 19 we will get this crap every time a vacancy comes along in the premier league. KM will go when it suits, I think this is one vacancy we can laugh off
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Theipswich added 09:05 - May 19 He isn't going anywhere...usual national media talk to shift copies. Journalists are so lazy nowadays and need speculation to justify their roles. McKenna will be here for a while yet, you'll see...
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PhuketPete added 09:06 - May 19 I also believe KM will stay and we just have to switch off from all the social media/pundit/agent inspired transfer BS or it’ll drive us nuts. That said I hope KM puts an end to speculation himself by just saying publicly “I’m staying here”. Not just to silence the chatter but to send the right message to players and future players. We don’t need uncertainty re his tenure as the upcoming window opens. So Keiran, before the window opens please ! One other point. It’s true that, ultimately, nobody is irreplaceable. But succession plans ideally are executed on our own terms not when we have a prized asset stolen. We’re not ready for such an upheaval yet. And let’s remember when a manager leaves, often an entire back room leaves with him. 7 leaving with De Zerbi !! Imo, short term. KMcK is indeed irreplaceable. At least for another season. De Zerbi is taking 7 of his team with him to wherever he goes next. That to me really

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PhuketPete added 09:09 - May 19 Sorry ignore last two lines of that post. Sent before I edited them out
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Lightningboy added 09:51 - May 19 All this speculation needs an end putting to asap. We're 2 weeks into getting promoted. I for one don't want to keep reading on here about all this sh1t stirring from the media all summer long! - not good when we haven't even kicked a premier league ball yet - AND the club shouldn't have to keep coming out every few days to make statements that KM is staying - he's under contract - he'll get sick of it as will everybody else - it's incredibly unsettling at what should be a joyous time.

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Lightningboy added 09:57 - May 19 Plus, Brighton have already got one of the most promising young managers in De Zerbi and they're already letting him go after only 2 seasons - what does that say about their ownership?!
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TractorBoySince93 added 10:01 - May 19 Why doesn’t McKenna & Ashton just publicly say that McKenna is here to stay to put all this to bed.
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NorthLondonBlue2 added 10:06 - May 19 This makes much more sense for McKenna than Man U, which could finish him after just a season or two. But, if he’s confident in the set up we now have at Town, the financial backing he knows we have, then Town is the best place for him to continue this glorious project!
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MickMillsTash added 10:34 - May 19 90% of managers would probably go if Tony Bloom can do a good sales job. Brighton are more established and in one good season can offer European football and probably a relegation clause free contract. The last Premier League season has shown that it's a massive task to keep Ipswich up - the next worst team has Wood, Hudson-Odoi and Elanga up front with Gibbs White behind them! £75M ?? to finish 4th Bottom? McKenna's reputation may never be higher. McKenna does not seem to be like most managers, Ashton is a good sales guy AND the club seem too have a massive vision that will be supported financially with McKenna at the helm - I suspect McKenna will have more input on direction at Ipswich than he will at Brighton and he will have a huge emotional attachment to the club. Stay Kieran Stay !

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warwickblue added 10:35 - May 19 McKenna and Ashton are under no obligation to respond to bookies or newspaper hacks. And we can all play our part by not responding to these stories either. As with signings at the club, over the years, ignore the hype. When something is going to happen, the club will announce it. Enjoy the summer!
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Marinersnose added 11:11 - May 19 Now that we’ve finally reached the promised land that is the PL we will be subjected to numerous stories about our manger , players etc etc. Unfortunately it comes with the territory so as it stands just Man Utd Brighton and Chelsea after McKenna. He will continue to be courted whilst Ipswich remain successful. He has done and will continue to do a fantastic job of putting our club back where it belongs. There is a big difference at Ipswich as he has support around him from other management and back room staff who help to improve the club as a whole. Big clubs want success in a month or it’s goodbye

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Robert_Garrett added 12:30 - May 19 Bill McGarry did exactly the same after we got promoted to the big boys in 1969 and he went to "massive" Wolves but didnt last. Good job he went otherweise we wouldnt have appointed Sir Bobby Robson. Ipswich produces massive managers and trainers but if KMcK wants to go then with our blessing for what we have already achieved with him on his journey. I still think he has unfinished business and will probably achieve more with teh TractorBoyz than starting afresh with somenbody elses mess?

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Ipswichbusiness added 12:58 - May 19 The Sunday Telegraph Sort section today has a headine, “Brighton eye McKenna as De Zerbi exits”. They say, “Brighton are expected to make a move for Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna after announcing that Roberto De Zerbi will leave the club following their final match of the season today … Brighton are understood to be huge admirers of McKenna, who has led Ipswich to back-to-back promotions and is regarded as one of the brightest young managers in the European game. It remains to be seen, however, whether McKenna would be willing to leave Ipswich this summer, so soon after leading them into the Premier League.

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dirtydingusmagee added 13:03 - May 19 money over loyalty and determination , Watch this space folks. I think it would be a disaster if he left for any other club. Carrot rd mob will be praying he does just to p#ss us off. too. It would be great if a statement was made to quash all fears,We need stability now more than ever, summer signings will depend on it .
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churchmans added 13:37 - May 19 Hilarious!
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churchmans added 13:39 - May 19 @dirtydingusmaghee And everybody else sh**ting there pants he ain't going to Brighton ffs there not big enough
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BlueWax added 14:34 - May 19 Only another 14 clubs to be linked with then. Yaaaawwwwnnnnn
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cfmoses added 15:24 - May 19 ITFC have never had a manager who in such a short time has fused a close relationship with our CEO and is admired and respected by his players. He has also ignited a new young generation of supporters and is filling our stadium. What KMcK has done in 2 years is second to none. We love him and I’m sure he loves us.
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oldelsworthyfan added 15:49 - May 19 Our best Managers only leave for the England job.
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Tractorog added 17:06 - May 19 Fat boy slim is out of fashion, he will stay here for Ed Sheeran.
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Dutchman1 added 18:32 - May 19 Not a chance. It will Man United or nothing for KM.
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Broadbent23 added 19:16 - May 19 Lets blot out all this media shenanigans about KM. Why can't we do a Leicester. All we need is to toughen up the defence and buy a few more prem experienced players. KM has back to back promotions. BELIEVE. Most of the premiership will be KO from the Euros. We surprised all and sundry in the championship.
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carlgibbs13 added 19:22 - May 19 Let’s be fair. We’re all human. If our competitors offered to double our salary to join them then we’d take it. So why wouldn’t he? Personally I don’t think he’ll go and I hope he doesn’t. But if he does, then Good luck to him. No matter what happens he will always be a legend at our club.
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fifeblue added 20:12 - May 19 Honestly. Brighton & Hove Albion? It really is too funny for words. The idea that Brighton is a more attractive managerial prospect than Ipswich Town is ridiculous.
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