Ipswich Town have manager targets in mind in case Kieran McKenna does surprisingly exit.
Ipswich Town fans hope Kieran McKenna stays in the Tractor Boys dugout for their first Premier League season, as the former Manchester United coach has been linked with possibilities away from Suffolk.
It’s hardly surprising that Chelsea, Brighton and Hove Albion, and his former employers at Manchester United are all interested in the Ipswich manager, given his incredible achievement of securing back-to-back promotions.
Those back at Portman Road will not want to read too much into these reports, with the 38-year-old undoubtedly eager to finish his time with the Tractor Boys in the top division before perhaps leaving.
Rumors claim that if the unimaginable happens, Ipswich could consider this manager as a replacement, who has made a heroic effort in the Premier League this season from the sidelines.
Ipswich is looking for “intense” McKenna replacement.
According to TalkSPORT, Ipswich are considering Luton Town manager Rob Edwards as a successor for McKenna if the former Red Devils player leaves.
When you look at Edwards’ dazzling managerial CV with the Hatters, he could be considered a like-for-like swap, having led the minnows to Premier League triumph in spectacular fashion via the playoffs last season.
The popular 41-year-old nearly saved Luton from relegation, refusing to let his underdog club rest on their laurels after making the step-up, with only a six-point difference separating Luton and Nottingham Forest at the bottom of the table.
According to football journalist Josh Bunting, Edwards is known for preparing his teams for “intense” football. Ipswich may offer him a chance to redeem himself in the top-flight.
| Rob Edwards’ record at Luton | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games managed | 76 | |||
| Wins | 26 | |||
| Draws | 19 | |||
| Losses | 31 | |||
| Goals scored | 110 | |||
| Sourced by Transfermarkt | ||||
Nobody at Ipswich will want McKenna to leave, but Edwards might be a perfect alternative if such a situation arises, since he will want to maintain a team in the Premier League despite the odds after coming so close with the brave Hatters.
Edwards’ philosophy in Luton
Unlike Burnley and Sheffield United, who have gone down into the second division without a trace, Luton would receive praises this season for their lively and feisty play, which matched their underdog mindset in facing the drop.
Luton’s manager frequently used a 3-4-2-1 formation, which could benefit non-strikers like Nathan Broadhead and Conor Chaplin in Suffolk. As a result, the Hatters outscored Everton and Nottingham Forest in the league while trailing Man United by only five goals.
Ipswich’s attacking talent, who scored a league-best 92 goals on their way to automatic promotion, will benefit from this opportunity.
Edwards will also be a season more experienced at the level, having been through a lot this season at Kenilworth Road, which explains his evident emotions when the Bedfordshire club was all but assured to return to the Championship away to West Ham United.
From Brighton to Fulham, and everything in between. Thank you for your incredible support throughout 2023/24 🧡 pic.twitter.com/xU7lsutN30 — Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 19, 2024
There won’t be a dry eye in the house if McKenna leaves Ipswich equally, but the success story doesn’t have to be over if the 38-year-old does exit with Edwards entering onto the scene.
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