KIERAN McKENNA feels he is closing in on a sensational return to Old Trafford as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.
The in-demand Ipswich head coach has his heart set on going back to Manchester United where he was formerly assistant boss and first-team coach.
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McKenna’s agents are pushing hard for the deal and United are ready to take a gamble on the Northern Irishman.
Mauricio Pochettino, who left Chelsea on Wednesday, remains in the mix.
While two former Blues bosses, Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, are also candidates.
But sources said last night McKenna was “in the driving seat” in the race to become United boss when the inevitable axe falls on Ten Hag.
The Dutchman is set to be sacked even if he leads United to FA Cup glory against rivals Manchester City today.
Appointing McKenna, who has just two years of experience as a head coach — and none in the Premier League — would be a big call for United and new co-owners Ineos.
But his success in leading Ipswich back to the top flight with back-to-back promotions, while playing an attractive brand of football, has made him the hottest property in British coaching.
Brighton identified McKenna as the ideal successor to Roberto De Zerbi long before the club and the fiery Italian parted company last week.
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Chelsea have also been linked with McKenna.
But he favours a move to Lancashire and the Blues look likely to swoop for Leicester boss Enzo Maresca.
Ipswich majority shareholder Ed Schwartz has flown in from America to hold talks with CEO Mark Ashton and McKenna in a bid to keep their gaffer.
Any compensation package would be about £6million but the Tractor Boys offered McKenna a blockbuster £5m-a-year deal to stay put.
Ipswich are looking at Luton boss Rob Edwards and Chris Davies — currently No 2 to Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
McKenna was also named the League Managers Association Manager of the Year.
The 38-year-old led Ipswich back to the Prem after a 22-year absence.
He beat both City’s Pep Guardiola and Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta — who led the Gunners to a second successive runners-up spot and another season of Champions League football — to win the prestigious award.
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