Ally McCoist 'touches a nerve' over Ipswich Town, AFC Bournemouth bigger club debate around Kieran McKenna | OneFootball

The Tractor Boys manager has been linked with the Bournemouth job after Andoni Iraola announced his summer departure.

It has been a whirlwind 24 hours for Ipswich Town supporters as a double dagger from the South Coast has threatened to derail their season and future plans.

Yesterday afternoon, AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola revealed that he would be leaving at the end of the season, with Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna among the leading candidates to replace him.

To make matters worse, the Tractor Boys were then beaten 2-0 by relegation-threatened Portsmouth, missing the opportunity to build a five-point advantage over promotion rivals Millwall.

Understandably, Iraola's bombshell has triggered a heated debate, particularly around whether McKenna should depart Portman Road for the Vitality Stadium, and now the pundits have had their say.

Ally McCoist questions Alan Brazil over Ipswich Town, AFC Bournemouth comments

This morning, much of the talk has understandably been around Iraola, including where he might go and who should replace him on the South Coast.

On talkSPORT, Ally McCoist and former Ipswich star Alan Brazil discussed whether McKenna should leave Ipswich for Bournemouth, but the pair clashed over their thoughts on which is the bigger club.

Host Katie Shanahan asked: "If Kieran McKenna gets promoted with Ipswich, do you see him staying on?"

Brazil replied: "Unless a big club come in, yes, because we've got American backers and there's money there."

McCoist chimed in: "That's very much as if you're saying that Bournemouth are not a very big club?"

Brazil: "Well, they're not bigger than Ipswich. What have Bournemouth won? You're having a laugh aren't you?"

McCoist: "Ooo, I didn't say they weren't."

Brazil: "Ipswich are a bigger club than Bournemouth. Look, they're a brilliant, friendly club, but na na na."

Shanahan then posed the question again, asking the pair whether Ipswich are in fact a bigger club than the Cherries, to a predictable reply.

Brazil: "Course it is, I don't think, absolutely, UEFA Cup, Europe every year, yes!"

McCoist joked: "We've touched a nerve there, haven't we?"

Why Kieran McKenna's Ipswich future could hinge on promotion

Although McKenna was unable to keep the Tractor Boys afloat when they returned to the Premier League last season, he has managed to keep his name intact since, hence the top-flight links.

The 39-year-old worked under José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær at Manchester United and has successfully implemented possession-based, controlling football during his four-and-a-half years at the East Anglia club.

While Ipswich spent considerable money when they achieved promotion to the top table, they invested heavily in Championship talent, and although that did not help their survival cause, it has allowed them to push for an immediate return.

Given the Northern Irishman's style of play, it is unsurprising that Bournemouth are considering him as Iraola's replacement, as he would surely be able to carry on his legacy and stamp his own identity on the team in the process.

Two factors that could sway McKenna's decision are whether the Cherries achieve a European position come the end of the season and whether Ipswich are promoted to the Premier League.

Whatever happens, the 49-year-old has certainly done a stellar job by taking them from League One to the Premier League and potentially back again, but the carrot of managing a well-run club like Bournemouth may be too tempting to resist.