Fermanagh native Kieran McKenna is reportedly in the running to replace struggling Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag as the next United boss.
United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup at home on Wednesday, marking their second consecutive 3-0 loss at home in a week. This defeat brings United's total losses to 8 out of 15 games this season, increasing the pressure on Ten Hag. Calls for his dismissal are growing with every passing minute.
Several managers, including Brighton & Hove Albion's Roberto De Zerbi, Real Madrid's Carlo Ancelotti, and former Real Madrid manager and player Zinedine Zidane, have been linked to the role. However, one name that has caught the attention of the Irish public is former United coach Kieran McKenna. McKenna, who was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjær's backroom team until he decided to become the manager of Ipswich Town.
In December 2021, at the age of 35, McKenna took over Ipswich, who were 11th in League One. Under his management, Ipswich was promoted with 98 points in the 2022-23 season. In the current 2023-24 season, they have won 11 out of their first 13 games in the Championship, placing them second in the table with 34 points.
Kieran McKenna: "As a #mufc fan, all Manchester United fans want to see is a successful team on the pitch." #mulive [sky] pic.twitter.com/RhOhruwpNi
— utdreport (@utdreport) April 14, 2022
McKenna, a native of Fermanagh, is now listed at 20/1 odds with certain bookies to return to Old Trafford and take Ten Hag's job on a full-time basis. Oddschecker’s Leon Blackman said, “Another defeat for Man United increases the pressure on Erik ten Hag as they suffer their eighth loss of the season. A 3-0 defeat to a second-string Newcastle side at home has led bookmakers to slash his odds of being the next Premier League manager to leave his post. The change in odds from 9/1 to 2/1 represents a 10% to 33.3% chance of Ten Hag being out the door next.
"Since the full-time whistle blew at Old Trafford last night, we’ve seen a staggering number of bets on Oddschecker backing Ten Hag to leave. 93% of total bets during that timeframe have been on the Dutchman, compared to just 28% the previous week. Man United will travel to Fulham on Saturday lunchtime, and another defeat could mark the end of Erik’s tenure with the Red Devils.”
United's game against Fulham will kick off at 12:30 on Saturday.
Next permanent Manchester United Manager
9/2 Zinedine Zidane
13/2 Julian Nagelsmann
8/1 Roberto De Zerbi
9/1 Graham Potter
16/1 Michael Carrick
14/1 Antonio Conte
20/1 Kieran McKenna
Odds subject to change*
