Sir Alex Ferguson has congratulated ‘incredible young talent’ Kieran McKenna on winning the LMA Manager of the Year award, predicting the Ipswich boss can go on to succeed at the ‘very highest level’.
McKenna embarked on his first job in senior management when he was appointed Ipswich head coach back in December 2021, taking over the reins from Paul Cook with the team sitting mid-table in League One.
The Tractor Boys have gone on to secure back-to-back promotions under McKenna’s reign, finishing as runners-up behind Leicester in the Championship this season to return the club to the Premier League for the first time since 2002.
However, there are fears amongst Ipswich’s hierarchy that one of Manchester United or Chelsea could attempt to lure McKenna away from Portman Road, with the Northern Irishman’s representatives reportedly talking to both clubs.
United bosses are yet to give any assurances over Erik ten Hag’s future beyond the summer, while Chelsea are on the hunt for a new head coach in the wake of Mauricio Pochettino’s sudden departure this week.
McKenna previously managed United’s Under-18 side from 2016 to 2018 before being promoted to the Red Devils’ first-team coaching staff, where he worked alongside Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
On Tuesday night, McKenna was named the LMA Manager of the Year and was presented with the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy by the man himself, who had nothing but praise for the sought-after 38-year-old.
‘I extend my congratulations to Kieran McKenna on winning the LMA Manager of the Year award after a memorable season with Ipswich Town,’ legendary ex-United manager Ferguson said.
‘He is an incredible young talent who had a great reputation when he was on the coaching staff at Manchester United.
‘Kieran is humble and carries tremendous composure, as well as great technical and tactical insight and awareness – all the hallmarks to become a top manager at the very highest level.’
McKenna said winning the prestigious prize among his ‘proudest moments’ of his life and career.
‘This award is one of the most humbling and proudest moments of my life,’ the Ipswich manager said.
‘It’s the best thing in the world and I’ve had good experience as a first-team coach, but to be a manager in the Premier League and go up against great managers is going to be a great challenge and something I can’t wait for.’
McKenna distanced himself from rumours of a possible move away from Ipswich after picking up the award, insisting ‘speculation’ was inevitable given the club’s recent success.
‘Look, the club has had such a positive season and has such a positive future ahead,’ he told Sky Sports.
‘We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years. When you have success like that there always comes speculation and things like that, we’ve seen that every summer.
‘But I know how much everyone is looking forward to the season, the club is in a fantastic path and everyone is just really looking forward to the season ahead.’
Asked whether an offers from one of United, Chelsea or Brighton would be hard to ignore, he replied: ‘Again, when you do well – as a manger or as a player – there’s always going to be speculation.
‘I know what we’ve achieved isn’t a normal thing so there’s always going to be speculation. But that’s not where my focus is… tonight is about what we’ve achieved over the last couple of seasons.
‘It’s been a wonderful couple of years so tonight is about celebrating that. I know everyone is looking forward to next season and I know the club is going to be in a really good place going into that season.’
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