Kieran McKenna emerges as big betting favorite to take Man United job amid impending exit of Erik ten Hag
Former first team coach, Kieran McKenna has usurped some massive candidates this Friday afternoon to take the hot seat at Old Trafford this summer, with Manchester United reportedly on the brink of parting ways with Dutch head coach, Erik ten Hag.
McKenna, a former first team coach at Man United under both the reigns of Jose Mourinho, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, departed United upon the appointment of current head coach, ten Hag – and has since led Ipswitch Town to stunning back-to-back promotions.
Guiding the side to the Premier League next season through an impressive second place finish in the EFL Championship, McKenna had been identified as a potential candidate for the vacant positions at both Brighton & Hove Albion, as well as London side, Chelsea.
However, amid reports today that Dutch boss, ten Hag will be relieved of his duties even if United topple neighbours, Man City in tomorrow’s FA Cup final, 38-year-old coach, McKenna has emerged as a big betting favorite at just 5/4 to become the next permanent Manchester United manager.
Amid reports that a season review would be held following tomorrow’s trip to Wembley regarding the future of ten Hag, many national casino and bookies are taking bets on United’s next permanent manager including punters from Czech Republic (cz) – in what promises to be a massive story in the coming weeks.
Guiding the Old Trafford side to a disappointing eighth-placed finish in his second season in charge following last year’s third-placed finish and a league cup success, ten Hag’s future has come under fierce scrutiny in recent weeks, with reports suggesting new minority stake owners INEOS would evaluate an overhaul from top to bottom at the club.
And today, reports from numerous national publications have revealed that the club are on the brink of parting ways with ten Hag – regardless of if United lift the FA Cup tomorrow against Premier League champions, City.
Following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Chelsea last week, the Argentine head coach had landed himself top of the list to become the next Man United manager, knocking German coach, Thomas Tuchel from a potential perch with the bookies.
However, today, odds have been severely slashed on the appointment of Fermanagh native, McKenna – with club officials already holding talks with the Ipswich coach’s representatives.
Another potential candidate to replace ten Hag should the former Ajax head coach depart the Old Trafford dugout this summer is current Brentford head coach, Thomas Frank, who has impressed since promoting the side to the Premier League.
Also linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to replace Pochettino at Chelsea, Frank is currently drawing odds of 18/1 to take the United job – sat behind former Brighton & Hove Albion pair, Graham Potter, and Roberto De Zerbi – as well as current England national team manager, Gareth Southgate.
As far as ten Hag is concerned however, prior to today’s reports, the Dutchman confirmed he would be taking his holiday on Sunday following the FA Cup final, and as far as he was aware, he would be preparing for next season with the club, with his future at Old Trafford not up for discussion.
