Ipswich boss reveals Premier League clubs tried to sign Kieran McKenna this summer – but smiles at talkSPORT presenter's question
More than one Premier League team replaced Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna over the summer, the club's chairman has revealed.
The leader of the Tractor Boys wrote a new deal until summer 2028 in May after consecutive promotions.
came in the middle reported interest in McKenna from places like Brighton, Chelsea and manchester united.
Chairman and CEO Mark Ashton has revealed the demand his manager faced over the summer.
When asked if United had come for McKennaAshton told White & Jordan: “The top clubs came for him this summer, I'm not going to say who.”
Jim White pressed him on United, prompting a smile before adding: “I'm not going to say who because I'd get in trouble, but the best clubs came and knocked on the door. It was real.”
Ashton was also asked about Brighton and continued: “You're good Jim, my job was to sit down with him and show him the strengths of Ipswich, talk to the other clubs who had knocked on the door and tell him that's why I think we're suitable for you.”
McKenna was appointed by Ipswich in December 2021, his first senior management role.
He left United to take up the role, after having been an assistant for Jose MourinhoOle Gunnar Solskjaer Michael Carrick and Ralf Rangnick.
The Northern Irishman had also been an under-18 coach and scout at Old Trafford.
However, since arriving at Portman Road, they have won promotion in each of their full seasons to move from League One to the Premier League.
McKenna also won 77 of his 143 games in charge, most recently against Tottenham before the international break.
3
3
That victory was Ipswich's first since returning to the top flight.
It came after a 10-game winless streak at the start of the season, but Ashton remained determined to stick to his beliefs, explaining: “We've stuck to the plan.
“We recruited Premier League staff and good players for League One and we believed that with the right head coach and the right infrastructure it could take us straight to the Premier League.
“And again, we won for the first time at Ipswich against Tottenham last week and we have League One players on the pitch. So the journey has been fantastic.”
Victory against Spurs leaves McKenna's side 17th in the table ahead of United's visit on Sunday.
