Former England player Carlton Palmer is concerned that Kieran McKenna is being associated with other jobs, but he also feels McKenna and Ipswich Town are devoted to one other.
This follows reports from German source Bild that the Ipswich manager is being considered by Bundesliga side Stuttgart to replace current manager Sebastian Hoeneß when he quits.
Hoeneß has received a lot of praise this season for leading the German team to the top of the Bundesliga, where they are presently third.
The 41-year-old has a contract until the summer of 2027, but he has been linked with a move, with Bayern Munich eyeing him as a possible replacement for Thomas Tuchel when he leaves at the conclusion of the season.
This has led Stuttgart to include McKenna on their managing shortlist, with their director of football, Fabian Wohlgemuth, said to be impressed by McKenna’s performance at Ipswich.
This is not the first time McKenna has been linked with a transfer away from Portman Road; Crystal Palace were reportedly admirers of the Ipswich manager.
Carlton Palmer believes Kieran McKenna and Ipswich Town are committed to each other
When the former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Carlton Palmer was asked for his thoughts on Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna catching the eye of Bundesliga side Stuttgart and whether this is a concern, or will he wait for a Premier League job.
Palmer said: “Kieran McKenna, again his name has been linked with Stuttgart and, of course, his name is going to be linked all over the place, as his win ratio as manager is quite phenomenal since he, took over at Ipswich.
“I mean, they had a disappointing result the other day, which was their first defeat in six. They were going great guns, five wins, and they are still only a point of automatic and if you are looking at Leicester City, who we thought were flying away with the league, they are only four points ahead of Ipswich.
“So, when we thought it was unthinkable that Leicester wouldn’t win the league, I mean Leicester have recently just got back on with a win and a draw, but prior to that they had three defeats. Ipswich play Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, so you would expect Ipswich to win that game, but if you are looking at Ipswich, who are going great guns, they have still got a chance of getting automatic promotion or promotion via the play-offs.
“Of course, Kieran McKenna is going to be linked with jobs up and down the country, in the Premier League and overseas.
“It is a worry, but as I’ve said before, I think Kieran’s committed to Ipswich Town. I think Ipswich Town are committed to Kieran. They have backed him in the transfer market and, as I’ve said before, I still firmly believe that Leeds United, Ipswich and Leicester have been the three better sides in the Championship this season, just followed by Southampton, and I think those three will get promoted to the Premier League.
“So, again, Kieran will be managing in the Premier League next season, so given the fact he has been backed, I think he will keep doing what he is doing until, if you are going to move, you want to move to a job that is going to be a good job that fits for you in the Premier League.”
Ipswich Town’s league position
This 2023/24 Championship season has been a resounding success for Ipswich Town, regardless of how the season ends.
The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One last season and moved straight into the second division, and they hope to do it again this season.
With only nine games remaining in the Championship, Ipswich continues their pursuit of a top-two finish alongside Leeds United, Southampton, and Leicester City.
Following their defeat against Cardiff City, Ipswich are presently in third place with 78 points, one point behind Leeds in second and four behind leaders Leicester.
The Tractor Boys currently lead fourth-place Southampton by five points, but the Saints have a game in hand. Ipswich return to play this Saturday, hosting Sheffield Wednesday at Portman Road.
Kieran McKenna will stay at Ipswich if they secure promotion
Obviously, Ipswich will be concerned that Kieran McKenna is being touted for more and more jobs.
But the former Manchester United coach is still in the early stages of his managerial career, and he will believe he owes a lot to Ipswich for taking a chance on him a few years ago.
However, the more successful Ipswich are, the more attention McKenna will receive, and at some moment, he will most likely depart the club. However, if the Tractor Boys get promoted to the Premier League, McKenna will remain at Portman Road because he wants to lead this team at the top and aid them in their first season back.
