Exclusive: Sky Sports pundit reveals "massive concern" for Ipswich Town involving Kieran McKenna | OneFootball

The Ipswich Town boss may be in line for a return to the Premier League

Former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes that Ipswich Town fans should be worried about Kieran McKenna's links to a Premier League return, as Brentford continue to eye up the 39-year-old as a possible Thomas Frank replacement.

Football Insider has reported that Tottenham Hotspur's interest in the current Brentford manager has "accelerated," with Frank rumoured to take over at the Europa League champions if Ange Postecoglou were to depart.

As a result, a butterfly effect may begin that could potentially see Ipswich Town lose the man who masterminded their incredible return to the Premier League.

And, in an exclusive interview with Football League World, current Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie feels that a McKenna departure shouldn't come as a surprise, but should still cause plenty of concern for Ipswich fans.

Kieran McKenna's possible exit has "been on the cards," according to Lee Hendrie

Speaking to Football League World, Lee Hendrie agreed that a McKenna departure would be a worry for Ipswich Town, "because of what he's done at the football club and where he'd taken them.

"The pathway to the Premier League was absolutely brilliant, and the style of play showed what Kieran does.

"He's a very young manager and I think [a departure] has been on the cards for some time, as he's been branded and linked with lots of vacant jobs - it would not surprise me in the slightest," he said.

Mckenna was linked with a multitude of clubs before last season even began, with Brighton, Chelsea and Manchester United sniffing around for his services. In the end, he stuck with Ipswich Town, but he was unable to keep them up in an incredibly competitive Premier League.

However, many still regard the 39-year-old as a top-flight-ready manager, and Hendrie believes that he will want to continue his career in the Premier League as soon as possible.

He said: "All of the top managers want to be [in the Premier League] and they want to take clubs further on.

"Brentford is a very good football club, and still will be even if Thomas Frank leaves, so yes, I think it would be a massive concern for Ipswich if that happens."

Lee Hendrie urges Ipswich Town to create a backup plan soon

With a month passing already since the end of the Championship season, plenty of clubs in the second tier have had time to plot ahead for the 2025/26 campaign.

If Kieran McKenna were to leave in search of pastures new in the Premier League, Ipswich would be returning to square one, when a few of their direct competitors next season will already be at the metaphorical squares three or four.

Therefore, Hendrie has suggested that the higher-ups at Portman Road should consider a plan in case he leaves sooner rather than later.

"They will need to have a backup plan for someone to come in and take the club back to where it should be, because it wouldn't surprise me if this does happen, but ultimately, that is only if the Spurs job becomes available.

"I'm sure Ipswich fans would be very disappointed if he were to leave the football club," he concluded.

Under Kieran McKenna, and with the squad at his disposal, the Tractor Boys will be instant favourites to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

However, if the 39-year-old does depart, a swift change would be necessary to ensure that their odds do not drastically decrease ahead of the curtain raiser in August.