Kieran McKenna, the manager of Ipswich Town, claims he is not
Manager of Ipswich Town Kieran McKenna claims he is ignoring rumors that he is being considered for the Crystal Palace position.
Journalist Alan Nixon reported in October that McKenna was among Palace’s summer objectives to take Roy Hodgson’s position. Given Hodgson’s recent troubles, there has been more conjecture over the 37-year-old’s possible transfer to Selhurst Park.
After leading the Eagles to the Premier League the previous season, Hodgson agreed to return for a second stint in April and continue leading the team for an additional year.
But despite a run of three victories in their last 16 league games, Palace is currently only five points above the relegation zone in the top division, and in recent weeks, supporters have demonstrated against the club’s ownership.
Since taking over in December 2021, McKenna has done an amazing job at Ipswich, and his team has transitioned to the Championship with ease after he led the team to promotion from League One the previous season.
The most of the season has seen the Tractor Boys around and around the spots for automatic promotion, and while theirDespite a recent modest dip in their form, they are still only two points behind Southampton in second place in the league, sitting at fourth position.
Table of Champions (as of February 5th)
group
P
GD
Points
1.
Leicester City
30
41
72
2.
Southampton
29
23
61
3.
Leeds United
30
26
60
4
Town of Ipswich
29
15
59
5.
Bronx
29
14
48
Six
Hull City
29
5.
45
7.
City of Coventry
30
12
44
8
Sunshine
30
8
44
In June, McKenna agreed to a new four-year deal that would keep him at Portman Road until 2027. However, throughout his stay at the club, McKenna has drawn interest from other teams; chief executive Mark Ashton disclosed that McKenna had received attention in the summer.
In response to rumors about Crystal Palace, Kieran McKenna
McKenna insisted that his entire attention is still on Ipswich and declined to comment on rumors that connected him to the Palace position.
“No, you see, I’m completely committed to Ipswich, our current season, and the upcoming game. That’s where my entire focus and energy are,” McKenna stated to the East Anglian Daily Times.
To be honest, I don’t give it any thought. In the past few years, this has happened before. There will be links if you’re succeeding. Football can sometimes swiftly have the opposite effect. I just concentrate on my daily tasks at work.
“As I’ve said, I’m very proud and honoured to manage this football club, am enjoying doing so and will continue to do the best I can.”
The rumors surrounding Kieran McKenna will worry Ipswich Town supporters. Although McKenna’s remarks will reassure them, further interest in the Northern Irishman is expected in the upcoming months.
The Tractor Boys are still very much in the running for automatic promotion, but it might be difficult for them to beat Southampton and Leeds United for second place. If they don’t get promoted this year, they might lose McKenna in the summer.
Given that fans are calling for change at the club and that Hodgson will inevitably leave Palace at the conclusion of the season, McKenna would be the kind of forward-thinking hire the Eagles need.
It would be a difficult choice for McKenna to make if Palace were to make an approach because Ipswich is a financially strong team that could compete in the premier league should they make it there.