Latest on Kieran McKenna to Brighton amid Chelsea & Manchester United interest

HITC understands Brighton & Hove Albion are confident of making Manchester United and Chelsea target Kieran McKenna their new manager.

The Seagulls made the Ipswich Town manager their first choice soon after they knew Roberto De Zerbi was leaving.

The Italian guided Brighton to their first-ever European finish last season, but during the most recently-concluded campaign, they finished 11th and ended the season with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United

Kieran McKenna has won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town, including earning promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship this season.

The 38-year-old has since become hot property and has been looked at by both Chelsea and Manchester United.

The London outfit recently parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino, who after guiding the club to a sixth-placed finish, left after only one campaign at Stamford Bridge.

As for the much-talked-about Erik ten Hag, there has been speculation throughout about his Manchester United future and he guided his team to a deserved FA Cup final win over Manchester City on Saturday.

Finalise a deal this week

However, Brighton have maintained their push to land McKenna and HITC understands they can land the Ipswich man and are hopeful they could finalise a deal this week.

Chelsea, whilst interested, are understood to have made Leicester’s Enzo Maresca their number-one target. HITC revealed their interest in talking to him last week.

MORE BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION STORIES

The Italian won the Championship outright after a closely-fought battle with McKenna and was recently assistant to Pep Guardiola.

Young coaches in high demand

The management game seems to be for the younger coaches now and a lot of the elite clubs seem to be going down that road.

You see it with Vincent Kompany. He guided Burnley to the Premier League last season, but wasn’t able to keep them up. 

But, as HITC revealed last week, the Manchester City legend is on the verge of becoming Bayern Munich’s next manager.

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