Sky sports have announce Kieran McKenna (Man Utd coach) is our next manager. Don’t know anything about him to be honest but at least it would appear to be a long term appointment as he’s only 35
The Athletic are linking us with Kieran McKenna, the current Manchester United first team assistant manager. He's not had any first team senior management experience, but was touted as one of the best young coaches at United. This would fit into the current structure where McKenna would be more of a first team head coach type role and focus on the training and management.
If its true...wonder if he'll bring any of the old utd backroom staff as well...maybe Mike phelan as his assistant?? Now that would be a statement
I doubt Phelan will come here, but McKenna does have a close friendship with compatriot Jim Magilton ...
Pleased with this. Fresh man with fresh ideas and connections to the top of the football pyramid. He’s so much more exciting than all the dross we’ve had potentially listed Ill say now I’d take a punt on him over Harris, warnock etc. And fcuk John terry I don’t want him anywhere near the club.
McKenna feels like a good option. Lack of experience makes me question whether he'll have the oomph to win the squad over, but imagine he'll be afforded a longer honeymoon period from the stands to do so than some of the other "options" reported Maybe open up some routes for promising United players.
I like this young potential, great breeding stable. Probably brdt that he is not a managerial had-been. Lets hope he can make his mark, brings another coach or two and is given time. I think our present squad might take to him. Wishing him all the best for his meteoric rise with Ipswich!
If any of our present squad don’t take to him they can FO because they’ve done nothing to warrant anyone listening to them and their opinions.
If it is to be McKenna - and it's looking increasingly likely that he is the owners' man - then I wish him nothing but the best and will give him my support. Obviously the absence of any senior management experience is a potential red flag, but he comes fairly well regarded from a big club and his appointment will break the failed pattern of hiring experienced managers (even Hurst had managed over 300 matches before joining us). Is McKenna going to be the type of manager that gives these players a kick up the backside? Probably not, but I'm purely judging that from his age. These days, younger players don't generally react well to that approach. So, if McKenna and his team can win this squad over by providing clear instructions, setting standards, and making players enjoy their jobs here - then that way will be just as effective, and arguably more beneficial in the long run. Under our new model with Mark Ashton and the wider club recruitment, a head coach is exactly what the owners and Ashton requires. If McKenna and his coaching staff can get us playing a lot better - and we start to see a coherent, adaptable plan out on the pitch - then the club's wider teams in recruitment, scouting, and sports science (to name a few) should sort itself out. I think we're all widely in agreement that we are one of the more poorly coached sides in this division (and that's been the case ever since we've dropped down the Championship). This appointment would appear to be a clear signal of intent that this will change. I just hope that this current squad are more professional and willing to buy into McKenna's process compared to what Paul Hurst attempted to do a few years ago (albeit Hurst went about it in a reportedly terrible way).
agreed. its a good thing to have a club set up to work with the inevitable managerial merry go round. if he does badly, he'l be sacked, if he does well, he's likely hoping to go up the career ladder quicker than we can progress up the divisions so, one way or another, we need to be set up to withstand his departure at some point and avoid some huge vacuum pulling the club down. im sure he'll get a better tune from the existing crop. if not, they can sod off. they've done little to justify much loyalty for some of the performances so i'll give them the benefit of the doubt for now and assume they just need much better coaching and tactics. but some i have serious doubts over....hey ho, he's no doubt got a nice Santa List to hand to Mark Ashton for the Jan sales...
