Former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan believes Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna should remain loyal to the club amid growing Premier League interest in his services.
McKenna has done an outstanding job at Portman Road since his arrival in December 2021, and after leading the Tractor Boys to promotion from League One last season, his side achieved back-to-back promotions this campaign.
Despite operating with a significantly lower budget than many of their promotion rivals, Ipswich finished second in the table with an incredible total of 96 points, and they will return to the Premier League next season for the first time in 22 years.
| Championship standings 2023/24 | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leicester City (C) | 46 | 48 | 97 |
| 2 | Ipswich Town (P) | 46 | 35 | 96 |
| 3 | Leeds United | 46 | 38 | 90 |
| 4 | Southampton | 46 | 24 | 87 |
| 5 | West Brom | 46 | 23 | 75 |
| 6 | Norwich City | 46 | 15 | 73 |
| 7 | Hull City | 46 | 8 | 70 |
| 8 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 9 | 69 |
McKenna’s excellent work with the Tractor Boys has not gone unnoticed, and he is said to be under consideration for the vacant managerial position at Brighton & Hove Albion following the departure of Roberto De Zerbi.
Brighton are not the only Premier League club to be linked with McKenna, and the 38-year-old is reportedly in the frame for the Manchester United job amid uncertainty over Erik ten Hag’s future, while he is also thought to be on Chelsea’s list of targets if Mauricio Pochettino departs this summer.
Ipswich’s valuation of McKenna has increased to £6 million following their promotion to the top flight, and if they do lose the Northern Irishman, Luton Town’s Rob Edwards is said to be viewed as a potential replacement.
Jordan: Kieran McKenna should show loyalty to Ipswich Town
Jordan has urged McKenna to show “respect and loyalty” to Ipswich amid increasing interest from elsewhere, and he believes his reputation would be enhanced if he continued to achieve success with the Tractor Boys in the Premier League.
