Town boss Kieran McKenna’s representatives are reported to have held talks with Manchester United regarding their manager’s job.

According to Sky Sports News, representatives of McKenna met with Red Devils new chief executive Omar Berrada and incoming technical director Jason Wilcox last week to discuss the possibility of the 38-year-old taking over at Old Trafford, where he was a member of the coaching staff under José Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick prior to joining the Blues in December 2021.

Erik ten Hag remains manager of United ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Manchester City but with speculation regarding his future having been ongoing for some while, the Red Devils having finished eighth in the Premier League this season.

Mauricio Pochettino is the current favourite to replace him ahead of Thomas Tuchel, then McKenna with Roberto De Zerbi and Gareth Southgate also believed to be candidates should the Red Devils jettison Ten Hag.

Elsewhere, Chelsea, who are similarly understood to have held talks with McKenna’s agents along with Brighton, are, according to talkSPORT ready to ask Leicester for permission to speak to their manager Enzo Maresca, who TWTD reported last night is the West Londoners’ top target.

Fans of neither United nor Chelsea appear particularly keen on McKenna being appointed, largely due to his inexperience.

The Seagulls are understood to remain interested in the Town boss, while Francesco Farioli, recommended to the Sussex club by the exiting De Zerbi, has now joined Ajax from Nice.

Town themselves remain determined to do everything they can to keep McKenna at Portman Road with the offer of new contract seeming inevitable. The Northern Irishman’s current terms, signed last summer, run to June 2027.

Photo: Matchday Images

SuffPunch added 20:49 - May 23 Boring. Speculation. Whatever happens, happens.
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boroughblue added 20:50 - May 23 don't know how much longer I can do this, its actually getting a bit silly now I think...
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ArnieM added 20:52 - May 23 IF this happened when it’s suggested this took place whilst Todn players, staff and McKenna were celebrating promotion here!!
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tomitfc added 20:53 - May 23 Anyone else finding this truly heartbreaking? Naively thought there was no chance he wouldn’t be here for at least one more season in the premier league and now it seems like any offer to him is better than staying with us.
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joyousblue added 20:54 - May 23 All i can say is if they can do that to ten haag , by talking to mckenna while ten haag is still in charge , then they can do that to you kieran mckenna if with millionare plsyers who dont care , with ipswich they are hungry and dedicated ,not sure i think its to early for him
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Foreverbleedblue added 20:59 - May 23 I think the problem is he won our hearts over so much, gave us belief and brought back smiles to our fans. He made us enjoy going to football on a Saturday or of an evening on sky sports. The guy is so respectful and honest it feels like your girlfriend has just cheated..... But realistically the guy is moving up.through the ranks like any of us do in our own jobs. You get promotions, you move to bigger companies more responsibility and more money. We all do it, we just dont have 50000 people who love what we have achieved

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Len_Brennan added 21:00 - May 23 The only possible positive I can think of here, is that Ashton will have been aware of the situation & no doubt has a replacrment lined up, probably.
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pinewood added 21:04 - May 23 It's come from Sly news , they're called that for a reason . To add if McKenna goes so much for togetherness and he's looking to remove the keystone . I so hope I'm wrong though .
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itfcskayman added 21:05 - May 23 The ideal outcome is that very shortly the club release a statement saying McKenna is staying, he signs a new deal. Anything other than this unlikely outcome does put such a dampener on the last couple of years. The circus has to end soon.
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cooper4england added 21:11 - May 23 Potter, Potter he's our man If McKenna can't do it Graham can
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planetblue_2011 added 21:13 - May 23 Of course I don’t want McKenna to go but this is getting silly now. If he’s Man Utd bound then let us fans know pls. Hope Edwards from Luton is being lined up to replace him. If he is going that is.
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WaltonBlueNaze added 21:21 - May 23 This is now becoming extremely tedious, if and it’s a big if Mckenna’s reps have been speaking to Man Utd whilst Ten Hag is still in a job that says something about them and Man Utd. We all want McKenna to stay and he knows that, I’m sure part of all of these alleged discussions with Brighton, Chelsea and Man Utd are to drive an improved contract. MA could also come out and say we have offered an unbelievable contract to Kieran and have given him a week to make his mind up and then we can all move forward. This is also potentially unsettling to the players and the rest of the coaching staff. COYB

8

Baino added 21:30 - May 23 I feel he kind of owes us a season yet, and that may still happen of course which would be great. But if his head has been turned, then he's better off going I think. He'll move on and so will we. As much as I love him, he's not the only manager out there. I feel it may taint his story so far though, only a tad, but still. I feel he'd be away after next season anyway, but I don't think any of us could grudge him a move then after at least seeing out the plan. Anyway, he hasn't gone as yet. He may still be ours for one more season. Unlikely but maybe.

5

Foreverbleedblue added 21:31 - May 23 Waltonbluenaze I'm sure the rest of the coaching staff are seeing pound signs, they will all be going with him.
2

WestSussexBlue added 21:33 - May 23 Holding talks is one thing, this doesn’t mean to say Kmc is imminently leaving Town. What’s wrong with hearing what other clubs have to say and discuss his own ambitions. I’m confident he’s our manager for One Premier League season at least.
3

Baino added 21:34 - May 23 Also, it would take me a wee while to forgive him. Always grateful for L1 and Championship seasons, but one more year, that's all I ask. Not to jump ship when the first big club comes knocking.
6

BlueWax added 21:37 - May 23 Last bank holiday weekend a dream This bank holiday weekend a nightmare
5

ArmaghBlue added 21:38 - May 23 If he goes to Man Utd, he will be sacked within a year.
0

Suffolkboy added 21:42 - May 23 Let’s not ever forget that KM has led from the front, set the example of standards and honesty , integrity and enthusiasm and inspired all around . He HAS a contract through to 2027 and in the manner he thinks through and plans ,no doubt he foresaw that as the next milestone date . An ‘improved’ contract seems always the ‘carrot’ ,but it’d be pretty certain ITFC and KM already have agreed performance terms which will see further increases at Town . He’s certainly been a key man in the ITFC team , working exceptionally with MA , but nothing is going to quell his ambition or drive ; I’ve little doubt KM will be as practical and level headed now as over his time to date . COYB ,let’s believe !!

4

Broadbent23 added 21:44 - May 23 Man Utd is a total mess on the field and in the boardroom. KM would be too inexperienced to get Man Utd to the lofty heights of their past. Staying with Town would gain him experience for the future. All the great PL managers have grown into their roles when pressure on them was low. This is too soon for KM to move for several reasons both personal and professional. His agents are just chasing their fees.

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MVBlue added 21:49 - May 23 Big clubs with crap planning and crap managers come sniffing the next best thing well before hes acquired the suitable time to grow into the top league. Sod off you badly run inept football clubs. Not Brighton they're just hopeful.
1

jas0999 added 21:53 - May 23 This is extremely boring now. Kieran is going. Good luck to him. The club must - like Kieran - needs to move on. Who is next?
2

Ipswichbusiness added 21:53 - May 23 Man Utd might be a good opportunity for KMc. Yes, they are in a bit of a shambles and underperforming, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a very able businessman and I am confident that he will sort them out.
0

BobbyBell added 21:57 - May 23 Ifs, buts and maybes. This guy said "as I understand it" so many times, so it's all just hearsay. The season is over and the media are desperate to keep fans interested.
4

BobbyBell added 21:57 - May 23 Ifs, buts and maybes. This guy said "as I understand it" so many times, so it's all just hearsay. The season is over and the media are desperate to keep fans interested.
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