McKenna - on his future at Ipswich Town.

[marko69]

People will go to great lengths for some "Brass in Pocket" at times.

There is a flip side to Sir Kieron McKenna having no Premier League experience. That flip side is standing beside Jose Mourinho and watching him make a mammoth arse of it.

Praying to all the gods that he stays...... but I am with Shed on Tour on this....... if the hypothetical offer becomes reality ....., he'll go. For sure.

[hallamblue]

Manchester United will NOT offer kieran McKenna the job, not a cat in hells chance, even they aren't that stupid.

Also Mark Ashtons comment the other day when asked if KM was to be at Portman Road next season "well if he isn't he hasn't told me"

…. and you’d have probably written exactly the same comment about ITFC a few weeks before we appointed him.
I have no doubts about his ability to do a better job at Man Utd than Ten Haag although personally I think they’ll go for a top shelf name with champions League experience.
The worry is Jim Ratcliffe hasn’t become Britain’s richest person without taking risks and he is currently pulling the strings at Manchester United. Whilst McKenna is very unlikely to get the job, if they decide to interview him he would be very impressive and possibly more so than any other. I don’t think it would be a stupid appointment either and if it was it’s not stopped them in the past, just think of David Moyes following Sir Alex Ferguson.

I would probably have said wtf to appointing McKenna here because of him basically being unknown to any of us, I think we pretty much all thought the same thing at the time.

I still maintain Manchester United would be barmy to take such a risk in their current situation, they must get the next appointment right, McKenna has zero Premier League experience and no way will they take that gamble, at the end of the day he's been incredible for us but has still won nothing, second in League One and second in the Championship. He will prove himself to be a great manager in the Premier League but it will start with us, not Manchester United, Brighton, Brentford, Crystal Palace, West Ham or anyone else.

Problem is Mike, McKenna does have both PL and Champions League experience, albeit in his role as assistant manager. But even in that role he'd have had a substantial input.

When Ashton approached Man Utd re McKenna, they " reluctantly allowed us to talk to him". So they didn't want lose him then, and clearly can see ow just what he can do.

I'm not getting a good feeling about this tbh, and I hope the Club can make a statement or offer McKenna a substantially improved contract ( if they haven't already of course).

[Bluemike]

Not gonna happen Liz, relax.

[Andym]

I have to say I haven’t read all the comments above - so if I’m repeating then I apologise. But here’s my view:
1. Football is like any other profession. We shouldn’t expect loyalty; if you are offered higher pay elsewhere you would be mad not to consider it.
But…
2. I can’t see Man U going for anyone with no managerial experience at the top lever ( despite Kieran’s involvement in the past).
3. I can’t imagine Kieran wanting to return so soon, as I think he’d have difficulty earning the respect of some of the prima donnas who will think they are better than him - and he will be well aware of that.
4. At this stage I would think it more likely that he will (at some point) leave us for an established mid-table prem side. If we become one of those ourselves in the next year or two, then he could go to a top club.

[marko69]

4. At this stage I would think it more likely that he will (at some point) leave us for an established mid-table prem side. If we become one of those ourselves in the next year or two, then he could go to a top club.

Or just stay......., if he returns Ipswich to that "Robsonesque" top club.

[Dubai Blue]

Some great comments here. Still unsure myself. However as Wilf mentioned, we don't even know if he has expressed any interest in meeting with ManU or anyone else, let alone taken an interview. I suppose the club would not stand in his way if he decided that he should do so although 4m in compensation seems to be very low IMO.

I just can't help thinking that he would be mad to throw away the setup that he has built with the backroom team, and the vibe in the club, for a club apparently in crisis with a bunch of 'problem' players and a likely 3 year project to bring them possible success.

More I think about it the more I think he's not even considering leaving just yet.

[hallamblue]

Not gonna happen Liz, relax.

I’ll be at your front door with a crate of Black Stump and a bottle of pills on your return from holiday lol !!

[Bluemike]

McKenna is even being instrumental in such things as the design of new training ground etc and how HE wants it, not to mention other such projects, he just won't be walking away from this yet.

[TODD66]

Why would he go before having a dart at Premiership life with Town?

Imagine how just surviving would up his stock even further and anything better would effectively allow him to dictate his own terms if any of the so called 'big boys' came calling.

[valleyroad]

Why would he go before having a dart at Premiership life with Town?

Imagine how just surviving would up his stock even further and anything better would effectively allow him to dictate his own terms if any of the so called 'big boys' came calling.

McKenna won't leave Ipswich for anyone outside top 6 - 8 IMO.
If Man Utd, Chelsea, Newcastle, Man City etc come along then he will be off unless the Ipswich project is as big.
Anyone outside that bracket then i would be amazed if he left.

[hallamblue]

Strangely enough I could eventually see him going to Spurs ....

[Denny61]

Mckenna isn't leaving..ive that on good authority.....reason it was put out was to take the heat away from other Canadaites...as talks are definitely going on with them...so relax everyone and look for to the nxt adventure...from a irish fan.living close to fermanagh!!!

[Mariner67]

Speculation over Mckenna leaving has been going on for months,it's all over the media nearly every day.Hes no.fool & will stay with Ipswich.We might surprise everyone & smash the premiership surviving it will be a massive achievement.

[Charnwood]

I see so many management similarities between McKenna and Sir Bobby and hope he does the same and stay with us until the perfect next job arrives as it did with Bobby and the England job.
Maybe Mark Ashton could do a John Cobbold and offer McKenna a new 10yr contract he couldn’t possibly refuse. It would also deter all but the most serious suitors who would be happy to pay the massive compensation payment any poaching would incur.

[Dubai Blue]

I think times have changed and KM would be mad to sign a 10 year contract unless it had so many release clauses that it wouldn't be worth writing. The future is unclear. 3-5 years seems like a reasonable max that is fair to both parties IMO.

[Charnwood]

I think 3 years is the norm in the Premier League and the bigger the club and the higher the profile of the manager the less there seems concern, eg; Arteta and Guardiola only have contracts to the end of next season.

I think where longer contracts make sense are at the smaller / potential yo yo clubs where managers could feel insecure and threatened they might get sacked if the club gets relegated. This may explain why Vincent Company has the longest current contract (5yrs) of any Premier League manager and why Alan Pardew holds the record for a Premier League managers contract which was 8 yrs.

Of course there would have to be release clauses on both sides but they can be kept quite simple. It just means that the club would get massive compensation if a major club wants their man, and for the manager it gives them massive job security if they want to take on a project such as we currently have at ITFC. Maybe 10 yrs was an exaggeration to make a point, and in truth I don’t think Sir Bobby ever signed such a deal. As best I recall it was John Cobbolds response to a journalist who was asking him if Robson was in danger of being sacked during his early years when things weren’t going too well.

All things considered I’d feel much happier if we had Kieran McKenna contracted for 5 years although seeing what I’ve seen of Mark Ashton he’s probably already identified a short list of potential replacements if and when needed.

[Bluemike]

McKenna now firm favourite for the vacant Brighton job, this is gonna get tedious and boring.

[hallamblue]

If Kieran left Town for a Club like Brighton I’d be extremely disappointed in him.

Brighton have nothing more to offer ( and maybe less) than Town can/ are offering Kieran McKenna.

[shabba]

If Kieran left Town for a Club like Brighton I’d be extremely disappointed in him.

Brighton have nothing more to offer ( and maybe less) than Town can/ are offering Kieran McKenna.

Sorry but Brighton are WAY ahead of town, realistically Brighton is probably what town could hope to be in 5 years IF all goes VERY well.

They have a decent squad, grea recruitment, level owners, are a very solid premier league side now.

My only hope is they are likely at their ceiling now, i.e Brighton would find it hard to go much further becuase they will be limited by the size of their club, as in the fanbase, the commerical ability on a global level etc. So if you go there are you really going to be able to take them higher than top 10, can't see them breaking into the top 6 for example - especially not on a regular basis.

I'm VERY worried though, I know Brighton are huge KM fans and will be after him, they can offer him good money and in his mind they might be a good stepping stone to a big 6 job, where as he would have to spend years developing town to that level - so this might be a fast track to it.

I'd rate our chances of keeping him at 50-50 now.

[valleyroad]

If Kieran left Town for a Club like Brighton I’d be extremely disappointed in him.

Brighton have nothing more to offer ( and maybe less) than Town can/ are offering Kieran McKenna.

Sorry but Brighton are WAY ahead of town, realistically Brighton is probably what town could hope to be in 5 years IF all goes VERY well.

They have a decent squad, grea recruitment, level owners, are a very solid premier league side now.

My only hope is they are likely at their ceiling now, i.e Brighton would find it hard to go much further becuase they will be limited by the size of their club, as in the fanbase, the commerical ability on a global level etc. So if you go there are you really going to be able to take them higher than top 10, can't see them breaking into the top 6 for example - especially not on a regular basis.

I'm VERY worried though, I know Brighton are huge KM fans and will be after him, they can offer him good money and in his mind they might be a good stepping stone to a big 6 job, where as he would have to spend years developing town to that level - so this might be a fast track to it.

I'd rate our chances of keeping him at 50-50 now.

Tend to agree. Though first question i would ask is why is DeZerbi leaving. Seems like Brighton can't match his ambition ? Think he is over hyped mind.
Think it really depends on the scale of the project at Ipswich and the quality of team McKenna thinks he can put together for next season

[hallamblue]

Well, We’ll have to disagree on the matter then.

[Steve]

For me

I think if Kieran left now then there'll always be what if? What could of been. I think Kieran will stay because he has built up this side his style. If he goes to Brighten it wouldn't be the team that Kieran built

Time will tell. I do think Mark Ashton will have pokers in the fire just in case

[hallamblue]

So far he’s been linked to …..
Palace
Man Utd
Brighton
Chelsea


https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... in-balance


I reckon the following clubs will also be linked at some point over the summer…..

West Ham
Fulham
Brentford
Everton
Spurs


Kieran McKenna is the hottest thing in football right now. Of course clubs are looking at him.But give this man some credit for his integrity . HE is building something here alongside Ashton. Why would he work his backside off for 2 years, reach the PL, only to walk away from it to another Club in the PL that is hardly a giant, and at which he’s unlikely to achieve anything more than he would achieve at Ipswich.

[shabba]

So far he’s been linked to …..
Palace
Man Utd
Brighton
Chelsea


https://www.theguardian.com/football/ar ... in-balance


I reckon the following clubs will also be linked at some point over the summer…..

West Ham - no they have appointed Lopategi
Fulham - Silva is doing well enough there
Brentford
Everton - basket case, Dsean Dyce is doing well enough there
Spurs - The current manager is doing well enough, can't see them sacking him so soon.

[shabba]

For me

I think if Kieran left now then there'll always be what if? What could of been. I think Kieran will stay because he has built up this side his style. If he goes to Brighten it wouldn't be the team that Kieran built

Time will tell. I do think Mark Ashton will have pokers in the fire just in case

I really think he will see if as skipping ahead, Ipswich realistically aren't going to be pushing into the top 6 without serious finacial rule breaching - if Newcastle can't do it with their money then neither can we. It would take some sort of insanely perfect recrtuiment never seen before.

We could be a Brighton level top 10 side in some years, but that's already there NOW at brighton, he'd only have to go there - get them in the top 8, some cup runs etc and he'd be in the frame for a top six job. Doing that with Ipswich might be possible but its risky and a much longer road.
PLus brighton might offer him alot more money, that is hard to turn down whoever you are.

IMO its a risk to stay at town, hope to be the rare case of a team staying up and pushing on etc, there is so much to get right this summer, where-as brighton is a much easier set up to walk into, everything is there etc.

[shabba]

IMO our only hope is someone very appealing to Brighton comes out of the woodwork- I really cannot see who that might be, KM is exactly their type of manager.........

[Ricco]

IMO our only hope is someone very appealing to Brighton comes out of the woodwork- I really cannot see who that might be, KM is exactly their type of manager.........

"only hope" is a bit strong shabba, stepping back from the edge... it's a huge uprooting to dip out after all the hard work he has put in at Town, only to have to start all over again elsewhere.

Town are not in a bad place, and McKenna's reputation remains very high if Ipswich go straight down again.

As high as opinion is of McKenna, the fact remains he has not managed in a top flight league and is still young and inexperienced manager. If Brighton recruit poorly and have a wobble, it is completely conceivable that they could be relegated. I think they'll want safe hands, personally.

[Blue Wilf]

IMO our only hope is someone very appealing to Brighton comes out of the woodwork- I really cannot see who that might be, KM is exactly their type of manager.........

I think you are wrong Shabba. You are making up a story in your head. Why brighton? Same size, yes more established but less history and as Ashton has said, KM joined a project that he has not seem through. I have more confidence in KM as a person. If we had not gone up, yes but as I said a while ago, no-one of ANY credibility (ie KM, MA or anyone from brighton have said a word yet you think its a done deal. I may be proven wrong (in which case KM is not the man I thought he was) but I don't think so.

[shabba]

Maybe I've played too much football manager over the years, but with my Blue tinte glasses off I feel there is a big gap between the 2 clubs and to close the gap would take a number of years, and football is a fast paced business.

Brighton would have to go very badly wrong to end up relegated, Ipswich would need things to go very well to stay up.

PS why Brighton, they are the best run club in the premier league - maybe outside of City and they cheated to get to the postion their in.

[Blue Wilf]

Maybe I've played too much football manager over the years, but with my Blue tinte glasses off I feel there is a big gap between the 2 clubs and to close the gap would take a number of years, and football is a fast paced business.

Brighton would have to go very badly wrong to end up relegated, Ipswich would need things to go very well to stay up.

PS why Brighton, they are the best run club in the premier league - maybe outside of City and they cheated to get to the postion their in.

Hmmm so well run that de zerbi wanted leave them...