Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna is reportedly a leading candidate to take over the managerial role, succeeding Ruben Amorim. McKenna's impressive track record with Ipswich Town, leading them from League One to the Premier League, has garnered significant attention. However, this potential appointment comes with inherent risks, given his lack of top-tier managerial experience, particularly for a club of Manchester United's stature that has recently faced challenges with similar appointments.
Kieran McKenna, a Northern Irish coach, transitioned from a highly-regarded member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's coaching staff at Old Trafford to the manager of Ipswich Town in December 2021. His tenure at Ipswich has been nothing short of spectacular, marked by successive promotions that saw the club ascend from League One to the Premier League. This rapid rise underscored his tactical acumen and ability to cultivate an effective and attractive style of play, earning him praise from football luminaries like Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Despite Ipswich Town's relegation from the Premier League last year, McKenna's reputation remained intact, a testament to his capabilities given the scale of the challenge. He opted to stay with the club, a decision that appears to be paying off, as Ipswich currently occupies a strong position in the Championship, vying for automatic promotion. This period at Portman Road has been crucial for McKenna's development, allowing him to refine his coaching philosophy in an environment conducive to growth, free from the intense pressures often associated with larger clubs.
Manchester United is currently under the interim leadership of Darren Fletcher, with the club's new management, INEOS, actively seeking a long-term successor for Amorim. While a permanent appointment is expected in the summer, Kieran McKenna has emerged as a prominent name on INEOS's shortlist. Other candidates include Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner, Thomas Tuchel, Enzo Maresca, and Andoni Iraola. Notably, Luis Enrique, despite being a 'world-class' manager and recent FIFA Coach of the Year, has reportedly been ruled out of contention for now, though his future departure from Paris Saint-Germain suggests this could change.
The prospect of McKenna returning to Old Trafford is intriguing. His deep understanding of Manchester United, combined with his modern coaching approach, makes him an appealing choice. However, the club is still cautious after a recent change in management with Amorim, who, like McKenna, had limited experience at a top-tier club. Appointing McKenna now might be premature for his career and could pose an unnecessary risk for Manchester United, potentially hindering both his development and the club's immediate aspirations for stability and success. A more seasoned choice or a later return for McKenna might be more beneficial in the long run.