Sports
David Ornstein Hints Man Utd Could Target Kieran McKenna as Permanent Manager
Manchester United could target Kieran McKenna as their next permanent head coach, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The Red Devils are looking for a new boss following the decision to part company with Ruben Amorim on Monday after deciding to end his 14-month reign at Old Trafford.
Plenty of names, notably Ole Gunnar Solskjær, have been discussed as interim options to succeed Amorim with the club looking increasingly likely to delay a permanent appointment until the summer.
Should that be the approach taken, Man United could have a number of very exciting options available to take on the job for the 2026/27 campaign.
David Ornstein Delivers Kieran McKenna Update
David Ornstein provided an update on Man United’s managerial search, suggesting that Kieran McKenna could be the ideal candidate for the job.
Speaking on The Athletic Podcast, he said: “There are so many names you could draw to this. Oliver Glasner — I’m not sure how realistic that is. Eddie Howe ruled himself out during his news conference, I don’t think he was ever in. We’re going to have this song and dance for a long time.
“I’m intrigued by the Kieran McKenna bracket of coaches. Ipswich fans won’t like this and I’m not saying he’s even in the frame or get it. But it’s that breed who’s got United DNA and real coaching pedigree.
“You’ve then got elite level managers like Tuchel, De Zerbi and Carlo Ancelotti, but I think at his stage in life, they’d want somebody younger.
“That Premier League experience is crucial, Amorim didn’t have it, Ten Hag didn’t have it, but the rumblings coming out of United in the last 24 hours is that Premier League experience is going to be very important to them.”
Ornstein added: “Someone like McKenna, I think United saw a lot of attraction in him, his coaching, which was influential at United when he was there previously for much bigger names like Mourinho, his association to Manchester United, which I think we’re now starting to see.
“It’s a unique job and place and environment in which to work — just because you’re a great coach or a great name, there are more qualities that are needed.”
McKenna Could Be Best Candidate For Man United
Manchester United’s search for a head coach could be a frustrating one. As much as supporters would like to, the Red Devils are not in a position to appoint an elite-level boss to replace Ruben Amorim and that is a harsh truth.
That said, there are plenty of excellent coaches who would love the job at Old Trafford and Kieran McKenna could be the pick of the bunch. A talented coach who plays good football and has an affinity with the club, the Ipswich boss ticks a lot of boxes for Man United. He’s also a manager of relatively little fuss — something that could be appealing given the way that Amorim fell out with the club’s hierarchy in recent weeks.
Described as ‘world class’, McKenna will be hoping to earn promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich this term but if the opportunity arose, I’m sure he would jump at the chance to join his former club if it came up this summer.
Nicky Butt Claims He Will Give Up Season Ticket if Man Utd Hire Manager Scholes Rates
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has named one manager who he doesn’t want to see succeed Ruben Amorim.
