Kieran McKenna tipped to join Premier League team amid Man United links

Ipswich Town manager and Manchester United managerial 'candidate' Kieran McKenna has been tipped to become the new boss at Brighton and Hove Albion next season.

On Saturday, the Seagulls announced that current manager Roberto De Zerbi would be leaving the South Coast club following Sunday's clash with United at the AMEX Stadium. The surprising news has led to speculation that the Italian, who MEN Sport understands INEOS rate highly, could have another job lined up for the 2024/25 campaign.

Brighton, meanwhile, will be looking to hire their replacement promptly and according to bookmakers Coral, McKenna is the favourite to take on that challenge with the 38-year-old backed at evens to take on the position. The former United assistant manager has earned a brilliant reputation for himself since leaving Old Trafford in December 2021.

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In his first full season in charge of the Tractor Boys, he secured promotion back to the Championship. However, it was his performance in the last campaign which has gained the most attention as the Suffolk club achieved a remarkable back-to-back promotion to reach the Premier League.

Earlier this week, The Guardian reported that McKenna has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace the under-pressure Erik ten Hag if Sir Jim Ratcliffe chooses to sack the Dutchman. This weekend, the newspaper has added that he is being eyed by Chelsea should Mauricio Pochettino choose to leave Stamford Bridge and Brighton.

McKenna's break in senior football management came in 2018 when Jose Mourinho promoted him from the U18s set-up into the first-team. He would