Manchester United ‘Hold Talks With Potential Ten Hag Replacement As Sack Looms

Manchester United may have hinted that manager Erik ten Hag’s tenure is under threat, as reports emerged on Thursday night that the club has initiated talks with Kieran McKenna, the highly acclaimed manager of Ipswich Town.

McKenna, who recently won Manager of the Year at the LMA awards, has impressively led Ipswich to promotion to the Premier League just a year after being in League One.

While he expressed commitment to seeing things through with Ipswich, it is believed that attempts to secure him to a new contract will be unsuccessful, and the 38-year-old is reportedly eager to take on a new challenge, potentially at Old Trafford.

Chelsea and Brighton were believed to be the frontrunners for his signature, with Manchester United only expected to get involved if the club were to decide Ten Hag isn’t the right man going forward.

Sky Sports now reports that United’s new chief executive Omar Berrada and new technical director Jason Wilcox met with McKenna’s representatives as early as last week over the possibility of bringing him back to Old Trafford, where he was an assistant coach on the staff of both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as well as previously Under-18 manager.

There is not yet any indication that United have made a decision on Ten Hag’s future, but what it does suggest is that the club are keeping their options firmly open. The Dutchman is likely to know one way or the other following the FA Cup final against Manchester City on Saturday.

With Chelsea searching for a replacement for Mauricio Pochettino, McKenna features on a three-man shortlist compiled at Stamford Bridge alongside Thomas Frank and Enzo Maresca. Brighton & Hove Albion have also shown interest in McKenna since parting company with Roberto De Zerbi.