Why Jose Mourinho news hands Ipswich Town potential Kieran McKenna blow | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna's future at Ipswich Town has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks

Ipswich Town’s hopes of keeping Kieran McKenna following links to the not-yet vacant West Ham job have taken a blow, with another potential rumoured target for the London club - Jose Mourinho - closing in on a move to Benfica.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Portuguese giants are moving for the 62-year-old following their decision to dismiss Bruno Lage overnight.

The Lisbon-based outfit suffered a humiliating defeat to Qarabag of Azerbaijan in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday night, which proved the final straw for the club’s hierarchy.

Lage’s side had taken an early 2-0 lead at home, but an 86th minute strike from Oleksiy Kashchuk completed the away side’s remarkable comeback.

Ipswich Town suffer Kieran McKenna blow in the form of Jose Mourinho, Benfica development

It has been reported that McKenna was invited by West Ham to visit the London Stadium last weekend amid their interest in potentially appointing him to succeed Graham Potter as manager.

It was also claimed that Mourinho was another candidate being considered by the Premier League club.

Given his availability, he could’ve prevented a pursuit of the Ipswich boss he had given the London outfit the green light.

However, it is now understood that Mourinho is closing in on a return to Portugal with a move to take charge of Benfica.

This could open the door to McKenna’s move to the Hammers if a decision is made to let Potter go amid the team’s poor start to the new season.

It’s believed that Benfica are in advanced talks with the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager, and it is expected that an agreement could be reached soon, which could come as an indirect blow to the Tractor Boys.

McKenna has been a crucial figure at Portman Road since his appointment in December 2021.

The 39-year-old guided Ipswich to back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, but a 19th-placed finish in the top flight last season has led to the team chasing a top six spot in the Championship again this year.

Jose Mourinho was a credible contender to replace Graham Potter - Ipswich Town's fears may have grown

Mourinho replacing Potter was a very realistic outcome had Benfica not intervened with this move to bring him in.

The 62-year-old knows the Premier League extremely well, and would’ve likely relished a return to the division and, crucially, he was available as a free agent.

Any deal to appoint McKenna will likely require a significant fee being paid to Ipswich, which West Ham could’ve avoided if Mourinho was available as an alternative.

Potter could yet still turn things around at the London Stadium, so there are no immediate fears for supporters of the Suffolk outfit, but the danger remains that their manager is likely to attract Premier League interest.