Kieran McKenna among favourites as Premier League club ready to sack their manager
Kieran McKenna is among the favourites to be the next Brighton manager if Fabian Hurzeler is dismissed in the coming months.
Pressure has been intensifying on the German, who has been unable to guide his team to a win in any of their last five games across all competitions.
The Seagulls are just seven points clear of the relegation zone, and fans have begun to grow frustrated with Hurzeler‘s decision-making.
Brighton are among several clubs considering a managerial change in the Premier League, while others have already pulled the trigger.
Nottingham Forest and Tottenham sacked Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank, respectively, this week ahead of a final push to end the season.
Kieran McKenna among leading Brighton candidates
For now, McKenna‘s focus will be entirely on pushing his team towards promotion to back to the Premier League.
Ipswich Town were relegated last season, but now find themselves in a strong position to go straight back up.
| Kieran McKenna | Ipswich Town |
| Wins | 98 |
| Draws | 54 |
| Losses | 54 |
| Scored | 367 |
| Conceded | 254 |
Coventry City had looked a dead-set for automatic promotion, but Frank Lampard’s team have won just two of their last nine games across all competitions and are in free fall.
McKenna will continue to feature in discussions at Premier League clubs ahead of the summer, however, with the 39-year-old considered among the brightest managerial talents.
The Scot is still in his first permanent role, having joined Ipswich as a Man United assistant coach in 2021.
Considering his age and his style of football, McKenna would surely rank highly in Brighton’s thinking if Hurzeler is to be sacked.
Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen has been named as the favourite at 3/1 by one major bookmaker, while McKenna features at 5/1 and Bo Svensson ranks third at 7/1.
McKenna has spoken about the Premier League
McKenna’s first experience managing in the Premier League was clearly difficult. Ipswich won just four games last season, taking three points just once in 2025.
But having had a taste of it, the Scot will be keen to prove that he can be successful in the top flight.
Whether that is ultimately with Ipswich, remains to be seen. The 39-year-old expressed his desire to lead a Premier League team in 2024.
“Ultimately, in my career, that is where I want to work and where I want to make an impact,” he explained when asked about links to Premier League clubs.
For now, though, McKenna’s focus remains on Ipswich and the closing stages of the Championship season.