League One Hero Shares Bold Ipswich Town Prediction

Exeter City winger Demetri Mitchell believes Kieran McKenna is a future Manchester United manager after his outstanding performance at Ipswich Town.

The 37-year-old is on track for unprecedented back-to-back promotions with the Tractor Boys. They finished second in League One last season, behind Plymouth Argyle, with 98 points, a total that would normally have earned them the title of champions. Incredibly, they can match that total again this season, albeit in a higher tier and with a spot in the Premier League on the line.

The Suffolk-based squad is in third place, one point behind Leeds United with a game in hand. It’s going to be a difficult finale to the season, but few would argue that Ipswich have been the surprise package of the second tier.

McKenna’s form has already led to speculation about a number of Premier League vacancies. West Ham United are thought to be interested, with current manager David Moyes set to go in the summer. Crystal Palace, Brentford, and Manchester United are also reportedly monitoring his progress.

The Red Devils have had a disastrous season and are in serious danger of missing out on a position in Europe next season. With INEOS’ half ownership being finalized, there is much speculation over the future of manager Erik ten Hag. The Ipswich manager is seen as a potential candidate for the top job, although as an outsider.

It’s a viewpoint shared by Exeter forward Mitchell, who believes the Championship Manager of the Season is destined to take over at Old Trafford. Taking to ‘X’, the 27-year-old, who was an academy graduate at Manchester United, stated that McKenna plans to return to the club he left in 2021 within 3-5 years.

After playing Ipswich last season I said they’d go back to back.

McKenna will manage Man united in 3-5 years save this tweet.

— Demetri Mitchell (@demetrimitche11) April 24, 2024

Of course, the former Tottenham Hotspur coach is no stranger to the 20-time English champions, having worked as a first-team coach for both Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Meanwhile, Mitchell is still rehabbing from an ACL injury that has kept him out of action since October. He will be out of contract at St James’ Park at the end of the season, but negotiations for a new contract are understood to be beginning.

Ipswich are aware that McKenna will not be with the club indefinitely, so they will enjoy him while he is available. He is expected to continue for another season, particularly if they are promoted to the Premier League. However, it seemed that not a week goes by without another team being linked with the 37-year-old.

Manchester United may be looking for a new manager at the end of the season, but they will prioritize expertise above romanticism. Their previous coach, however, appears to be headed for a shot at one of the ‘big six’, and those at the Theatre of Dreams will be keeping a careful eye on his progress in the coming years.