Kieran McKenna Among Favourites as Premier League Club Ready to Sack Their Manager

Brighton & Hove Albion are poised to dismiss manager Fabian Hürzeler in the coming months, with Ipswich Town's Kieran McKenna emerging as one of the top candidates to replace him.[5]

The 39-year-old McKenna, currently steering Ipswich in the EFL Championship, has garnered significant attention despite the Tractor Boys' relegation from the Premier League last season. Under his tenure, Ipswich recorded a dismal 10.5% win rate—among the lowest in top-flight history—before dropping back to the second tier.[2] Remarkably, McKenna has revitalized the side since, securing Ipswich's first win post-relegation with a 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in September 2025 and earning the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award that month.[2]

McKenna's stock remains high due to his proven track record of back-to-back promotions with Ipswich in 2023 and 2024, lifting them from League One to the Premier League.[1][2] His prior experience at Manchester United, where he served on Ole Gunnar Solskjær's coaching staff, has kept him linked to bigger roles. Recent speculation intensified after Manchester United sacked Rúben Amorim in early January 2026 following poor form and a public spat over his role as 'manager' versus 'head coach'. Pundit Jamie O’Hara tipped McKenna as a familiar face for United, though bookmakers list him seventh in the odds at 20/1 behind favourite Oliver Glasner.[3]

However, reports indicate McKenna's sole focus is on guiding Ipswich—currently third in the Championship, five points from automatic promotion—to an immediate Premier League return.[1] Despite links to Chelsea, Brighton, and even Nottingham Forest amid their pressures on Sean Dyche,[4] and Tottenham following Thomas Frank's sacking,[6] he is reportedly rejecting advances to "finish the job" at Portman Road.[1]

Brighton's impatience with Hürzeler positions McKenna ideally, blending his tactical acumen and Premier League insight. As sack talks heat up, the Northern Irish coach's availability could spark a bidding war come summer.[5]

(Word count: 298)