Chelsea have spoken to the representatives of Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna but could be gazumped by Brighton, according to reports.
The 38-year-old has become one of the most sought-after young managers in the country after overseeing back-to-back promotions.
On top of returning Ipswich to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades, McKenna has also played a sparkling, attacking brand of football – with the Tractor Boys racking up a Championship-high 92 goals.
According to The Guardian, Ipswich now face a battle to keep hold of their manager and Brighton have made the first move to try and prise him away.
The Seagulls are in need of a new head coach after mutually agreeing to cut ties with Roberto De Zerbi and they are pushing to complete a deal for McKenna as quickly as possible.
There are a number of obstacles that will need to be overcome, however, including agreeing a compensation fee with Ipswich and convincing the Northern Irishman to snub other offers.
Chelsea could be Brighton’s primary rivals for McKenna, with the west London club currently weighing up whether to sack Mauricio Pochettino or not.
The Argentine, who ended the season with five straight wins to secure European football, could offer no assurances over his future – which will be discussed at a board meeting this week.
Manchester United are also interested in McKenna – who was part of Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching teams – but again any move will have to wait until a decision has been made on the future of Erik ten Hag.
While Brighton are quietly confident of pulling off a deal, McKenna could elect to wait and see if vacancies arise at either Chelsea or United.
He will then have a choice between joining a less chaotic and pressurised club in Brighton, who would give him time to grow as a coach and adapt to the Premier League, or jump into the deep end at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.
Both clubs have a habit of chewing up their managers and McKenna may decide that Brighton offers the most sensible next step in his career, with the Seagulls also providing a platform in the top-flight that Ipswich cannot.
He will also have noted that all three of last season’s promoted clubs went straight back down this season, even though Burnley, for example, spent huge sums to try and bridge the gap.
While Ipswich will try to convince McKenna to stay, they are bracing themselves for his potential exit and have already identified Luton Town’s Rob Edwards as the ideal successor.
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