Kieran McKenna set to leave Ipswich Town? How Gabby Agbonlahor really feels about it | OneFootball

Kieran McKenna has successfully guided Ipswich Town back to the Premier League, while Fulham may need a new manager this summer

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna remains one of the most sought-after young managers in the country, having steered the Tractor Boys back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

McKenna captured the imagination of the footballing nation when he led the Portman Road club to back-to-back promotions from League One to the top flight, booking their spot in the Premier League in 2024.

The Tractor Boys failed to adjust to the demands of the top tier last term and were relegated back to the Championship alongside Leicester City and Southampton.

However, by steering Ipswich to an immediate Premier League return, McKenna has established himself as an in-demand manager once again.

Ipswich Town told why Kieran McKenna may be tempted by Fulham switch despite Tractor Boys exit looking unlikely

The Tractor Boys proved their class on the final day of the Championship season by defeating Queens Park Rangers 3-0, thanks to goals from George Hirst, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, and Kasey McAteer.

If McKenna's men failed to beat QPR, they would have had to settle for a play-off spot, but the Suffolk outfit held their nerve to ensure that they won automatic promotion alongside second-tier champions Coventry City.

Meanwhile, having proven his strong credentials in the Championship once again, McKenna has attracted external admirers.

According to talkSPORT, the Tractor Boys boss is on Fulham's radar ahead of the summer.

The Craven Cottage side's current boss, Marco Silva, has established them as a solid Premier League outfit, but he is currently set to leave at the end of the season, as he hasn't signed a new contract.

Discussing whether McKenna should move to the West London club live on talkSPORT Breakfast, former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor said: "Very talented manager, but he’s not Premier League proven.

"Last season, he came up with Ipswich, spent a decent amount of money. Didn’t work out, got them promoted again. I don’t see him going to a Premier League club now that is better than Ipswich. I just don’t see it.

"Maybe I’m missing something. I think he’s very talented for what he’s done at Ipswich, but he’s not had a great Premier League career as a manager, has he?

"But maybe he’s looking at it as well, like ‘I did it last year, spent a decent amount of money, didn’t work out.’ Got Ipswich back up. Is the squad strong enough?

"Maybe he knows what money he’s got to spend this time, maybe he doesn’t get as much as he did two years ago when they got promoted.

"If a bigger club becomes available, maybe he does take it, with a better squad already, because Fulham are going to be maybe without a manager, Marco Silva. There’s talk that he might not sign his new contract.

"There’s different clubs in the Premier League that are looking for a new manager."

As Agbonlahor alluded to, Fulham are not the only established top-flight club looking for a new boss this summer, as Crystal Palace are on the hunt for an Oliver Glasner replacement.

Glasner has done a stellar job in charge of the Eagles, and may lead them to the Conference League title following last term's FA Cup triumph, but he is set to leave Selhurst Park when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Kieran McKenna should be better served by remaining at Ipswich Town

McKenna has already struggled in the Premier League with Ipswich, which is a fate that he will desperately want to avoid next season.

However, as summarised by Agbonlahor, the 39-year-old still lacks top-flight experience, which may not make him the best option for a club like Fulham.

The Tractor Boys weren't good enough in the Premier League in 2024/25, earning just four victories in 38 attempts, which saw them land an unwanted Championship return.

However, Ipswich have learned from that negative experience and should be better equipped for life in the top flight next term.

The Portman Road side's transfer activity in the summer of 2024 didn't help them retain their Premier League status, as they signed players who have proven to be better suited to the Championship, such as Jacob Greaves.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Ipswich Town CEO Mark Ashton revealed that his side's summer transfer strategy will be more similar to that deployed by Sunderland and Leeds United last summer.

Both the Black Cats and the Whites have successfully avoided relegation, having won promotion to the Premier League last term.