Erik ten Hag's future at Manchester United is far from certain. The English superpower is even already conducting exploratory talks with possible successors. The latest candidate is Kieran McKenna, as of late The Guardian hinted.

The Northern Irish head coach has made a name for himself at home and abroad with his performances over the past two seasons. The 38-year-old manager has been at the helm of Ipswich Town since 2021.

At the time he started as a trainer at Portman Road in League One, the third division of England. Playing after two consecutive promotions the Tractor Boys next season in the Premier League for the first time since 2002.

McKenna's performance means that Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford and Manchester United have their eye on the coach. The latter club is certainly no stranger to the manager, as he was a youth coach there from 2016 to 2018 and held the role of assistant coach with the first team from 2018 to 2021.

The fact that the first exploratory discussions have now taken place is of course a bad sign for Ten Hag, although the discussions with McKenna are still at an early stage. According to the London newspaper, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will review the Haaksberger's position after the FA Cup final against Manchester City on May 25.

Due to the current eighth place in the Premier League and the early elimination in both the EFL Cup and the Champions League, Ten Hag's future at Manchester United is already hanging by a thread. A loss in the FA Cup final against fellow city rivals could prove disastrous.

Ipswich have no intention of letting their manager go without a fight. McKenna still has a contract in Suffolk until 2027 and the club's policymakers will do everything they can in the coming weeks to keep the trainer in the east of the country. If so the Red Devils manage to convince McKenna of an employment contract in the northwest of England, then this move will be accompanied by a significant compensation.

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