Kieran McKenna, who recently secured an immediate return to the Premier League, is Fulham’s main target to replace Marco Silva, who has taken over from Jose Mourinho at Portuguese giants Benfica.
The Ipswich boss himself wants to go to the Cottagers, who are now considering whether to trigger his £8 million buyout clause.
Read: José Mourinho has been bought free of a gigantic sum!
Ipswich want to keep McKenna, but are powerless if the clause is triggered. The club will also work on a potential succession plan. McKenna was also on Crystal Palace’s list of potential successors to Oliver Glasner, but the Eagles are now moving forward with a deal for Lens boss Pierre Sage.
Fulham have also been linked with former Brentford and Tottenham boss Thomas Frank, but the Dane has recently ruled out a comeback as manager this summer. – He will relax a little longer…
Time to move on?
McKenna took over Ipswich in December 2021, when the club was in mid-table in League One. He arrived the day after a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Barrow in the FA Cup.
Read: Michael Olise won’t be the one to deliver on Florentino Pérez’s promises of a big signing
When he found the club at rock bottom, he immediately stabilized it – before securing two promotions in a row.
Ipswich’s emotional return to the Premier League in 2024 marked the end of a 22-year spell without top-flight football.
McKenna had the opportunity to leave Portman Road that summer, when Chelsea, Manchester United and Brighton knocked on his door.
The 40-year-old Northern Irishman worked as an assistant manager to Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick during his five-year coaching career at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, he chose to be loyal and signed a new and lucrative four-year contract with Ipswich.
However, the Tractors did not survive their first season back under McKenna, and were relegated to the Championship. Now they get another chance in the Premier League in the 2026/27 season, having been promoted straight back up at the first attempt.
Spending money
Former Fulham and Ipswich striker Darren Bent believes Fulham should not be intimidated by McKenna’s £8m buyout clause.
“I don’t think it’s a risk,” says Bent.
“This is a manager with Premier League experience. I know it may not have gone the way Kieran wanted in 2024/25, but he also spent time at Manchester United before moving to Ipswich.
“He’s done amazing things for Ipswich in terms of promotion and bringing them back to the Premier League. And it feels like a good match.
At the same time, Rangers legend Ally McCoist argued that the time has come for Ipswich and McKenna to go their separate ways.
“I think he’s done a fantastic job at Ipswich,” McCoist told TalkSPORT
“And I think now is the time for him to maybe get a new and fresh challenge. I can see that the Ipswich fans are furious, but I think maybe it’s the right time for Ipswich as well – with a little change.
“Sometimes the farewells that are both friendly and come at the right time are the very best.
“I think it would be a good transfer for Fulham and a good transfer for him. And Ipswich can only try again.
