Manchester United have contacted Kieran McKenna’s representatives as they explore possible replacements should they decide to part company with Erik ten Hag after this weekend’s FA Cup final.
McKenna, the Ipswich Town manager who has overseen back-to-back promotions to take his side into the Premier League, used to work as an assistant at United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
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The 38-year-old has already attracted significant interest from Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion this summer and was named manager of the year at the League Managers Association’s awards night on May 21.
McKenna is among a number of candidates United will consider should Ten Hag exit the club.
United insist no decision will be made on the Dutchman’s future until after their meeting with Manchester City on Saturday.
But even if United beat their local rivals, it does not necessarily mean Ten Hag will stay in his role.
United sources say the club’s ownership, with new minority stakeholders INEOS now having control of football operations, along with key executives, will conduct an end of season review.
Once that is completed, a decision will be made on whether Ten Hag, whose contract expires in 2025, continues as the club’s manager.
United finished the season in eighth, their lowest-ever Premier League finish, after their campaign was derailed by injuries to key players.
Speaking ahead of United’s FA Cup final, Ten Hag insisted he had “nothing to say” when asked if he thought it could be his last game in charge.
“(I am) just focusing on the job I have to do and that is first win the game on Saturday and then the project, keep going on the project,” he said.
“I came here to win trophies, Saturday is the next opportunity and we achieved this. We earned this opportunity as a team and now we have to go for it.
“After every season you review it and we will see where we are in the project, things we have to change, we spoke lately about it.”
GO DEEPER
Football's best up-and-coming managers: Kieran McKenna
(Stephen Pond/Getty Images)