KIERAN MCKENNA has signed a new four-year deal to keep him at Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys boss will stay with the club until 2028 after receiving interest from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea in recent weeks.
McKenna, who has guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions, had been eyed as a possible replacement for Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.
But his new deal puts an end to speculation that he could fill the Dutchman’s void in the Manchester dugout should Ten Hag be sacked.
Speaking after putting pen to paper on his new deal, McKenna told the club’s official website: “I am extremely proud to have signed a new contract with the Club.
“We have enjoyed incredible success together over the last two seasons and I’m excited to have the opportunity and responsibility of leading this fantastic Club into its first season in the Premier League in 22 years.
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“Preparation and planning for the challenge ahead has been ongoing since we won promotion at the beginning of May, with plenty of work still to do before the start of the new season at what is such an exciting time for everyone at the Club.
“I am so happy to have committed my future to taking the next step with Ipswich Town and am really excited for what’s ahead as we continue this journey together.”
SunSport understands that McKenna’s new deal will see him QUADRUPLE his salary – earning him a whopping £5million per year.
That mega pay bump will see him become one of the Premier League’s top earners, sitting on the same salary as Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou.
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While only Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, Unai Emery, Ten Hag and Arne Slot are expected to earn more than the 38-year-old.
McKenna previously worked as an assistant at Man Utd before leaving in 2021 to take the Ipswich job.
Since arriving at Portman Road he has guided the club from League One to the Premier League and is about to embark on The Blues’ first season in the top flight since the 2001/2002 campaign.
News of a contract will be music to the ears of Ipswich fans who will be hoping McKenna can continue working his magic to keep the club in the Premier League.
While the deal will be seen as a blow at Man Utd.
United execs had reportedly been keen on convincing McKenna to come in as the new boss with current gaffer Ten Hag’s future in doubt.
Despite Ten Hag guiding the Red Devils to FA Cup glory – a second trophy in as many seasons at the club – the 54-year-old’s time at the Theatre of Dreams is still in jeopardy.
Ineos chief and new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is yet to make a decision on if the club will sack Ten Hag or not.
Man Utd are reportedly carrying out an end of season review to determine Ten Hag’s future.
The Manchester giants had their worst ever Premier League campaign this season finishing in eighth place, while they also finished rock bottom of their Champions League group.
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THE RISE AND RISE OF McKENNA
Few managers have risen so dramatically as Kieran McKenna.
But then few were tipped for coaching success so young.
London-born McKenna, now 38, retired as a player aged just 22 due to a chronic hip injury.
He’d begun with Northern Irish sides Enniskillen Town United and Ballinamallard United before joining Tottenham in 2002.
But by the time he was forced to quit seven years later, he’d failed to make a single senior appearance.
However, after graduating from Loughborough University, Spurs appointed him Head of Academy Performance Analysis.
It was then, in two years guiding Manchester United Under-18 where his reputation soared fastest.
Having won the Premier League Northern Division title, McKenna was promoted all the way up to Jose Mourinho’s assistant in 2018, remaining high up in the backroom under Ole Gunnar Solskjær and Ralf Rangnick.
Ipswich took the plunge on him in 2021.
And after an impressive half-season in League One, he took the Tractor Boys up in his first full campaign – repeating the feat this term to restore the club’s long-lost top-flight status.
Now, one way or another, McKenna is poised for his greatest challenge in management – either keeping Ipswich up or moving to a major club.
With McKenna now off the table as an option to replace Ten Hag there is even more doubt over what may happen at United.
Other managers linked with the high-profile role include Brentford boss Thomas Frank, England gaffer Gareth Southgate and former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
