McKenna took over at Portman Road in December 2021 and helped the club rediscover some form, finishing 11th in League One in his first season before leading the team to automatic promotion the following season.
However, things have improved even further this season, and with only three games remaining, the Tractor Boys are in contention to make it back-to-back promotions and enter the Premier League.
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that he’s being connected with large clubs, including West Ham United.
According to TEAMtalk, McKenna is in the running to succeed David Moyes at the London Stadium, as the current Hammers manager’s contract expires this summer.
There will undoubtedly be talk surrounding Kieran McKenna’s future at Ipswich Town this summer, especially if his side is not promoted, but FLW’s Ipswich fan commentator Henry is quietly convinced that he will remain at Portman Road next season.
“I don’t think West Ham would excite McKenna right now, like it did when he was linked with the Crystal Palace job,” Henry told Football League World.
“I say that, but I can see the appeal. It’s a big club with some good players on the roster, and it appears that the owners are trying to support Moyes, but I just don’t think Moyes is the perfect fit for West Ham anymore.
“I do not believe McKenna will be released by West Ham this season. Even if we don’t get promoted, I believe McKenna will remain there until at least Christmas next season, depending on how other managers move.
“I think there’s only a couple of clubs that McKenna would be swayed by, and that are able to be moulded the way that he wants to play football and how he wants the club to be run behind the scenes.”
Henry cited prior West Ham examples to argue that a move to the Hammers may not be the greatest option for the young boss.
He said: “He would take a risk by leaving for a club like West Ham, where they have made rash decisions with players and managers in the past, such as when Moyes left and then returned, and you saw with Sebastien Haller, who came in and was quickly sold because he didn’t seem to fit the profile of what they were trying to do.”
“I think at the moment I’m quietly confident of McKenna staying at Ipswich until at least Christmas 2024.”
Kieran McKenna took a chance by quitting Manchester United to join a struggling League One club, and the 37-year-old has certainly reaped the benefits.
If he leads Ipswich to promotion, his team will become the first to make it back-to-back promotions since fierce rivals Norwich City did this 13 years ago, and as a rookie manager, McKenna’s achievement would be even more noteworthy.
Obviously, everyone at Ipswich will want McKenna to stay, but if he does move for West Ham or elsewhere, no one can blame him for taking the opportunity.
However, with only three games remaining in the Championship season, the Tractor Boys’ manager will be fully focused on leading the club to promotion and making history.
