Manchester United considering Kieran McKenna to replace Erik ten Hag
According to a report from The Guardian, Manchester United have held initial talks with Kieran McKenna‘s representatives with hopes of bringing him back to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag‘s successor.
The Dutchman’s future is up in the air as the Red Devils crawl to the finish line of what has been a disastrous season. United’s last game of the season is an FA Cup final game against Man City, but even winning that might not be enough for Ten Hag to keep his job.
McKenna, on the other hand, has seen his stock go from strength to strength ever since leaving Man United to become Ipswich Town manager in December 2021. The Northern Irishman has taken the Tractor Boys from League One mid-table obscurity to the Premier League on the back of successive promotions.
The Guardian report suggests that the talks between McKenna and the club are in too early a stage for anything concrete to be expected to come out of them, with the club having not yet made a decision on Ten Hag in the first place.
Ipswich Town are keen to ensure the man who earned them back-to-back promotions stays with them for their topflight adventure next season. McKenna is also being targeted by other Premier League clubs in Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford, the latter’s manager Thomas Frank himself a possible contender for the Old Trafford seat.
A consideration too far
Both McKenna and Michael Carrick were part of the much-maligned Ole Gunnar Solskjær coaching setup at Man United. Their respective successes ever since moving on tells us at every single person has their own respective launching pads, and while they may have to drop down a few levels to find it, once they do, the self-belief that comes from being able to get positive results against comparable oppositions can bring about a surge in performances that can raise a coach’s ceiling itself.
That has been the story for both McKenna and Carrick. United were a level too far for the two at the time, and since then they have proved their talent. However, United still remain a step too far for both of them, one of them still being in the Championship.
McKenna’s story in particular has been remarkable and unprecedented. Even if one were to disregard United’s links, the Brighton and Brentford links indicate that the Northern Irishman is being regarded highly by people whose eyes for talent are themselves regarded highly.
Still, the Old Trafford seat is a step too far for McKenna, especially with the club being in the chaotic predicament they’re currently in and having not yet appointed a sporting director.
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Before United make a managerial call, they need to make a directorial one. McKenna may yet be a United manager in a few years’ time. Right now, however, it’s simply too soon.
