Kieran McKenna to Celtic: Sky update sheds new light on next manager
Celtic are eyeing the services of Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna as they continue to search for their next appointment after Brendan Rodgers’ shock exit.
Celtic‘s turbulent season took a surprise turn on Monday (27 October) night as it was announced that Brendan Rodgers had left the club after handing in his resignation.
Former boss Martin O’Neill and ex-player Shaun Maloney have been appointed as interim managers while Parkhead chiefs seek to replace the Northern Irishman, with a 4-0 win over Falkirk in their first game in charge on Wednesday (29 October).
Maloney is on the Hoops’ radar to potentially take over on a full-time basis, while Ange Postecoglou is not set to return to Celtic as he looks to take some time out of the game after a tough spell at Nottingham Forest.
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna is believed to be a leading candidate for the vacant role in the eyes of the Celtic board, and his thoughts on leaving the Championship side to move north of the border have now been revealed.
McKenna will need real convincing to leave Ipswich
Football Insider revealed last month that West Ham were targeting McKenna amid uncertainty around Graham Potter’s position in charge, but Nuno Espirito Santo was hired instead after the ex-Chelsea manager’s sacking.
He led Ipswich to successive promotions in 2022-23 and 2023-24 as they returned to the Premier League after 22 years away, but they were relegated last season and currently sit mid-table in the Championship.
Sky Sports have now reported that, while Celtic are interested in McKenna, it would take “a great deal of convincing” for him to leave Ipswich during the season.
The report also states that Ipswich do not want to lose their boss under any circumstances, but they would not stand in his way if he expressed a desire to leave, while the Hoops would have to pay a compensation fee of around £5m to appoint him.
Celtic have numerous managerial targets on their radar
While McKenna is a front-runner, Celtic are continuing to search far and wide for their new boss, and there is clearly no rush to make an appointment with O’Neill and Maloney in place for the time being.
Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen is being tracked by Celtic, alongside Bodo/Glimt’s Kjetil Knutsen, but both managers would also reportedly be reluctant to leave their clubs mid-campaign.
Sky Sports have reported that Wales manager Craig Bellamy is someone that the Hoops’ board admire, while former Celtic striker Robbie Keane and Ireland international Damien Duff are also in the frame and being assessed.
There is clearly a number of names in the running to take the reins with the Glasgow giants, and new developments are expected in the coming days as the club identify a top target.