Ed Aarons suggests that Brighton & Hove Albion are keen to lure Kieran McKenna, the Northern Irish manager of Ipswich Town, to the Amex Stadium following Roberto de Zerbi’s departure from the Premier League team last weekend. This development has intensified speculation about McKenna’s future at Portman Road. McKenna, 38, has been highly praised for his accomplishments with Ipswich, having led the team to successive promotions from League One to the Premier League. Ipswich is now gearing up for their first top-flight campaign since 2002 after finishing second in their first season back in the Championship.
Carlton Palmer, a football pundit, asserts that McKenna would only consider leaving Ipswich for a top-tier club like Liverpool or Manchester United. He doubts that a move to Brighton would entice McKenna, given the significant support he has received from Ipswich’s wealthy owners. Palmer stated to Football League World that Brighton might approach Ipswich for McKenna to replace de Zerbi, but he believes McKenna is unlikely to be interested. McKenna has done an exceptional job with back-to-back promotions, and with substantial backing from Ipswich’s owners, Palmer does not foresee McKenna leaving unless a top job becomes available, noting that the Liverpool position is no longer an option.
McKenna took over at Ipswich in December 2021 and has since achieved remarkable success, propelling the club to the Premier League after more than two decades. This role is McKenna’s first as a head manager, though he has previously served as a coach for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. While rumors of a move to Brighton persist, McKenna remains contracted with Ipswich until the summer of 2025, and no decision regarding his future has been made.
