Just In: Crystal Palace’s probable pursuit of Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna

admin | December 20, 2023 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Dean Jones, a journalist, has provided an update on Crystal Palace’s probable pursuit of Kieran McKenna as manager.

Palace are expected to start looking for a replacement for Roy Hodgson before his expected exit at the conclusion of the season.

The Premier League club has previously been linked with the Ipswich Town manager as a potential successor to the veteran coach.

McKenna, on the other hand, is having excellent success at Portman Road and it remains to be seen whether he will leave the Suffolk club as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

Any decision on a replacement to Hodgson is unlikely to be made for some time, which may play a role in their interest in the Ipswich manager.

Jones: “Steve Cooper is the man they want”

Jones believes McKenna would be out of reach for Palace if they pursued him in the near future.

According to the journalist, Steve Cooper is a more realistic goal for the London club, especially now that he is available following his exit from Nottingham Forest.

“I don’t think Kieran McKenna would be out of reach for Crystal Palace if they decided they wanted to go and get him, but I do believe that Steve Cooper is the man they want,” Jones stated in an interview with GiveMeSport.

“Obviously, Palace surprised Manchester City last weekend, which is pure Roy Hodgson because he is able to grab points that other managers aren’t a lot of the time.”

“Whether it’s luck or well-planned game tactics, it’s most likely a combination of the two, but Hodgson has no idea what the future holds for him.”

“Ultimately, he has already stated that this will be his final season with Crystal Palace, so the club must consider what the future holds and what they ideally want after Hodgson.”

“I’m told that ideally, they’d like to see Steve Cooper next.”

“If Steve Cooper is available, I think it’s a no-brainer that Palace move for him.”

Ipswich Town are presently second in the Championship table, 10 points ahead of Leeds United.

The two teams face this weekend in a crucial contest for first place in the second tier.

A win for McKenna’s team would extend their grip on one of the automatic promotion spots, closing the distance on the Whites to 13 points.

McKenna’s loyalty to Ipswich will be tested

McKenna’s work at Ipswich has been nothing short of outstanding.

The former Manchester United manager has built an amazing reputation at Portman Road, guiding the club back to the Championship and now, maybe, to the Premier League.

This will only draw attention from bigger teams, putting his dedication to the cause at Ipswich to the test.

McKenna’s commitment to their promotion push will be tested as more top flight managers lose their jobs in 2024, but based on this recent update, it looks that staying at the Suffolk club is a priority for him.