Kieran McKenna has garnered significant attention in the EFL this season, especially because newly-promoted Ipswich Town is performing exceptionally well in the Championship, currently holding the second position. McKenna, a young Northern Irish manager, is the youngest among all managers across the top four divisions of English football. His primary goal is to lead Ipswich Town back to the Premier League, a feat they haven’t accomplished in more than two decades.
Following their impressive 4-2 victory over third-placed Preston North End, the gap between second and third place widened to eight points just before the international break. This victory has sparked discussions about the 37-year-old manager’s future at Portman Road.
Recent reports from The Sun suggest that Crystal Palace is considering McKenna, along with Lille boss Paulo Fonseca, as potential replacements for Roy Hodgson when his contract expires at the end of the season. However, any club interested in acquiring McKenna’s services will need to pay a substantial sum since it’s reported that his current contract with Ipswich Town includes a £4 million buyout clause. Additionally, he is currently earning £25,000 per week, which amounts to £1.3 million annually, following the signing of a new four-year deal with the club during the summer.
In June, there were reports that Celtic, the Scottish champions, considered McKenna as a candidate for their managerial position after Ange Postecoglou left to join Tottenham Hotspur. Ultimately, Celtic chose to appoint former manager Brendan Rodgers instead.
In my opinion, McKenna is undoubtedly one of the top managers in English football at the moment. It’s no surprise that Premier League clubs are monitoring Ipswich Town’s progress this season. However, if McKenna can achieve the remarkable and secure an unprecedented promotion to the top flight, it’s unlikely that he would have any inclination to leave Portman Road in the first place.
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