Manchester United have received a potential boost should they decide to replace Erik ten Hag as manager, with one boss on their radar viewing the Old Trafford gig as his first choice ahead of Chelsea.
There is still a question mark over what the future holds for Erik ten Hag, after Manchester United registered their lowest Premier League finish this past season.
Rio Ferdinand does not think that ten Hag will be Manchester United manager next season, and it seems that INEOS are keeping their options open should they decide to make a change.
ESPN reports that they have held informal talks with the representatives of a number of candidates, including Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino.
Manager sees Manchester United job as first-choice ahead of Chelsea
Thomas Frank is also admired given the outstanding job that he has done at Brentford over the years, but there is another name in the frame.
According to ESPN, Kieran McKenna’s representatives have been spoken to, and he is excited about the thought of taking over at Manchester United.
In fact, the report claims that it is understood that, despite interest from Brighton and Chelsea, McKenna’s first choice would be to take the Manchester United job if he was offered it.
Kieran McKenna appointment could be gamble worth taking
McKenna is obviously no stranger to Old Trafford, having previously worked as under-18 boss while then finding a place in Jose Mourinho’s and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching teams.
But of course, it is the ‘phenomenal‘ work he has done at Ipswich Town which has won many of his admirers, with the Tractor Boys winning back to back promotions.
Unfortunately for Ipswich, it appears increasingly likely that McKenna’s future lies elsewhere as they prepare for their Premier League return.
Obviously, United would be taking a gamble given that McKenna has not yet managed a side in the top-flight, and the step up from Portman Road would be quite something.
But it would surely be an appointment which would excite the fanbase. United fans are not expecting immediate success, but they need a reason to believe that better times lie ahead.
Under ten Hag, that does not seem exactly certain. Taking a risk on McKenna would definitely capture the imagination.