Brighton are reportedly on the lookout for a new manager, with the future of current boss Roberto De Zerbi still unclear.
The Italian has reportedly become unsettled at the club, amid a dismal season that has seen them win only six Premier League games since September.
As a club renowned for succession planning, it's no surprise that the Seagulls are already on the lookout for a new manager to replace the Italian, and it appears that Fermanagh man Kieran McKenna is near the top of their list.
McKenna is on the verge of securing back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town, with the Tractor Boys needing just a point at home to Huddersfield on Saturday to secure a return to the Premier League after an 18-year absence. However, they could end up planning for the top flight without their manager, if the latest reports are to be believed.
Evening, gents. 👋 pic.twitter.com/ap7CI8RM5c
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) April 30, 2024
Brighton lining up Kieran McKenna as De Zerbi replacement
The Guardian reports that Brighton are hoping to lure McKenna away from Portman Road if De Zerbi quits, and should a move materialise, McKenna would link up with Irish striking pair Evan Ferguson and Mark O'Mahony at the AMEX Stadium.
Ferguson is well-established as one of the most promising players in the Premier League, while O'Mahony made his first start for the club in a 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth at the weekend.
There has been a suggestion recently that Ferguson hasn't exactly been used productively by De Zerbi in training, and a fresh approach may be exactly what he needs, on the back of a goalless run in the latter half of this season.
Ex-Cork City O'Mahony could also benefit from having an Irishman at the wheel, and the same could be said for former Bray Wanderers man Leigh Kavanagh, who has been named on the bench a number of times this season.
McKenna would also have knowledge of Andrew Moran from the Championship, with the midfielder set to return from an impressive loan spell at Blackburn Rovers.
Evening, Kieran. 👋 pic.twitter.com/MmCBPogUyf
— Ipswich Town (@IpswichTown) April 27, 2024
Kieran McKenna is hot property after Ipswich exploits
It remains to be seen whether McKenna would prefer to see how he gets on in the Premier League with Ipswich next season, and first there's the matter of getting over the line in the promotion race.
If he does so, Brighton are unlikely to be the only suitors looking for the signature the ex-Manchester United first team coach.
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