Ipswich Town: Sky Sports pundit reveals why Kieran McKenna could be next Man United head coach | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna's name has been linked with potentially replacing Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford

Jamie O’Hara has backed Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna to become the next Manchester United manager.

The Premier League side confirmed their decision to sack Ruben Amorim on Monday morning following a reported breakdown with the club’s hierarchy behind the scenes.

Darren Fletcher has been placed in charge of the first team squad on a temporary basis, with the search now underway for a permanent replacement.

McKenna previously worked as a coach at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, before making the move into management at Portman Road in December 2021.

No immediate front-runner has yet emerged as the most likely candidate to take over the Manchester outfit, with it being claimed that an appointment might not be made until the summer.

Jamie O’Hara backs Kieran McKenna for Man United

O’Hara has claimed that McKenna could be the ideal choice to replace Amorim at Man United given his history with the side.

He believes that the Premier League side need somebody who knows the ins and outs of the club, and that he’d fit the mould of the type of head coach that the hierarchy will be looking for.

“I don’t think Darren Fletcher is going to be the guy in charge for long,” said O’Hara, via Sky Sports.

“I think they need a face that everyone knows, a face they can relate to, he’s been there, knows the football club. Kieran McKenna at Ipswich, he’s been at Man United for a long time.

“He was there for a long time, they loved him, proper coach.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if Manchester United look at a situation where they’d take Kieran McKenna, because they want someone who’s going to come in and be a head coach, he’s going to answer to what they want to do, you come in and you coach the team.

“If that’s the model they are looking at, don’t be surprised if it is Kieran McKenna.”

McKenna has enjoyed a strong four years at Ipswich, which includes two promotions and a first Premier League campaign at Portman Road in over 20 years.

The Tractor Boys finished 19th in the top flight, but are firmly in the mix for a place back in the top flight for next season.

The Suffolk outfit sit third in the Championship table, two points behind second place Middlesbrough but with a game in hand on their rivals.

Next up for Ipswich is a home clash against Blackpool in the third round of the FA Cup on 10 January in a 3pm kick-off.

Kieran McKenna return to Old Trafford would be a huge loss for Ipswich

Ipswich will be fearful of the prospect of losing McKenna to Man United in the coming months, as his name has already been linked with the managerial vacancy since Amorim’s dismissal was confirmed.

The 39-year-old has a long history with the Premier League side, and it would be a very appealing step to take in his career, particularly if they are able to clinch qualification for the Champions League for next season.

It would be a huge loss for Ipswich if he were to leave for Old Trafford, as he’s been crucial to their rise in stature in the last few years.

It will prove very difficult to replace McKenna whenever he does leave the club, and it will be a real test of CEO Mark Ashton, if it happens in the coming months.