Leeds rivals Ipswich face early-summer blow as Fulham ‘to explore’ £eight million McKenna clause | OneFootball

Leeds United will keep a close eye on their Premier League rivals, with Ipswich Town potentially facing an early-summer blow if Kieran McKenna departs.

TalkSPORT reports that Fulham are assessing a £eight million release clause in McKenna’s contract. The Ipswich manager is viewed as a leading target if Marco Silva leaves for Benfica, and he is reportedly open to the switch.

Ipswich want to keep him but could be powerless if the clause is triggered, which would allow him to leave Portman Road before their top-flight return.

McKenna has been in charge since 2021, delivering back-to-back promotions and pipping Daniel Farke’s Leeds to a top-two Championship finish in 2023/24, before instant relegation in 2024/25. He stayed and, after a slow start, led an immediate return, losing only one of the final 15 matches.

His exit now would be a major setback for a newly promoted side already facing an uphill survival task. Coventry City, Ipswich and Hull City are expected to carry the relegation tag, while Leeds ended last season 14th and confront the familiar second-season challenge under Farke.

Recent precedent highlights the value of stability, with Leeds and Sunderland surviving last season after smart recruitment and keeping faith with promotion-winning managers. Farke weathered early autumn pressure then steered Leeds to relative safety by May.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk