Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna on radar of Premier League club as sack decision weighed up | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna is on the shortlist of options to replace Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton

Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna has emerged as one of the candidates to potentially replace Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

According to Football Insider, the Seagulls have shortlisted the 39-year-old as an option amid growing pressure on the Premier League coach.

Hurzeler was appointed by Brighton in the summer of 2024 following Roberto De Zerbi’s exit, but the club were linked with McKenna prior to bringing in the German.

It was reported that the Northern Irishman was a leading contender to take charge amid speculation over De Zerbi’s future, but he ultimately committed his future to Portman Road.

McKenna was preparing Ipswich for life in the Premier League at the time, but a 19th-placed finish in the top flight led to the Suffolk outfit suffering relegation to the Championship, where they are now again targeting promotion.

Brighton & Hove Albion shortlist Kieran McKenna amid growing Fabian Hurzeler pressure

McKenna is one of four names that Brighton are interested in as a possible replacement for Hurzeler, should the Seagulls make the decision to part company with their German head coach.

The 32-year-old remains in charge at the AMEX Stadium, but a 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the FA Cup last week has seen the pressure mount on his position.

McKenna is seen as one option that could take charge of the Seagulls, should a change in coach be made.

Kjetil Knutsen, Bo Svensson and Edin Terzic are also believed to be on Brighton’s shortlist of options, with Albion at risk of being dragged into a relegation battle this season.

Brighton are currently 14th in the Premier League table, seven points clear of 18th place West Ham, but they are also winless in their last six league fixtures.

Meanwhile, Ipswich have their sights set on a top two finish this season, as they sit fourth in the Championship table.

The Tractor Boys are seven points adrift of second place Middlesbrough, but have two games in hand, and they could feasibly be in the same division as Brighton next season.

Kieran McKenna uncertainty is nothing new for Ipswich Town - Brighton job may not be tempting enough

Ipswich have already fended off interest from Brighton once before, so there should be some confidence that they can hold onto McKenna.

Any decision over his future at Portman Road will likely depend on whether the club can gain promotion to the Premier League this season or not.

If the Suffolk outfit can get back to the top flight, then it’s difficult to see McKenna walking away from what he’s built at Portman Road, unless a really top job becomes available.

And it’s also hard to imagine him departing Ipswich while in the middle of this promotion battle as well, in case Brighton make a decision on Hurzeler in the coming weeks - someone like Tottenham or Man United could be a head-turner, but Albion are perhaps not on that level.