SHOCKING NEWS: from Fabrizio Romano, Erik ten hag has been officially sacked as head coach of Manchester United. Live from Old Trafford the club has just relieved ten hag of his duties and man united has a surprise manager who will replace ten hag and will be officially announced today.

Manchester United is actively pursuing a replacement for Erik ten Hag, having initiated contact with Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna.

Described as a “surprise” contender for the role by The Guardian, McKenna holds a significant place in the eyes of Man Utd, given his six-year tenure on the coaching staff before assuming the position of Ipswich manager in December 2021.

McKenna’s tenure at Portman Road has been marked by notable success, including securing promotion to the Championship last season and guiding Ipswich back to the Premier League after more than two decades.

However, Manchester United is not the sole suitor vying for McKenna’s services, with Brighton and Brentford also expressing interest. Interestingly, Brentford’s pursuit may hinge on Thomas Frank’s potential move to Old Trafford, a scenario first disclosed by FootballTransfers in March.

The Guardian elaborates on the situation, indicating that initial discussions have commenced between United and McKenna’s representatives, albeit emphasizing that it’s still in the early stages.

Despite United’s interest, Ipswich is determined to retain McKenna, especially after he inked a contract extension until 2027 last season. Any potential move would likely involve significant compensation, although Ipswich’s ownership is optimistic about convincing McKenna to continue leading them into the Premier League.

McKenna’s current contract with Ipswich runs until June 2025, during which he has overseen 131 matches as the Tractor Boys’ manager, clinching victory in 76 of these encounters.

Before his stint at Manchester United, Kieran McKenna initially served as the U18 manager and scout at the club, transitioning from his role at Tottenham, where he worked as a youth team coach. He then progressed to become an assistant coach under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

McKenna’s journey into coaching began following a forced retirement from playing at the age of 22 due to a hip injury. He subsequently gained coaching experience at clubs like Nottingham Forest, Leicester, and Vancouver Whitecaps before joining the coaching staff at Manchester United.