EXCLUSIVE: Tottenham target McKenna as possible Postecoglou replacement

Steve Kay

• Updated: 6 Dec 2024 13:08 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Tottenham Hotspur have shortlisted Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna as their first choice target if they decide to sack Ange Postecoglou, FootballTransfers has been told.

McKenna, 38, has thoroughly impressed since being appointed as Ipswich manager back in December 2021, guiding the Tractor Boys to back-to-back promotions over the past two years.

The Northern Irishman was heavily linked with both Chelsea and Manchester United this summer, but he opted to sign a new contract at Ipswich, with his current deal at Portman Road now running until 2028.

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However, FootballTransfers understands that McKenna has been lined up as a possible replacement for Postecoglou at Tottenham.

The Spurs boss was booed by supporters following their 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth on Thursday and we have been informed that he could be sacked if results don’t improve by January.

The north London outfit have only won one of their last six matches in all competitions - a 4-0 demolition of Manchester City - and McKenna has been identified as the club’s main target.

READ MORE: Five players who could join Tottenham in January

The Ipswich manager spent seven years in Tottenham’s academy before being forced into an early retirement due to a serious hip injury, and after a spell as the club’s Head of Academy Performance Analysis, McKenna became Spurs’ U18 head coach in 2015.

The Northern Irishman was snapped up by Man Utd the following year and he eventually became Jose Mourinho’s assistant manager at Old Trafford.

Ange Postecoglou responds to Tottenham fans

After Tottenham’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth, Postecoglou confronted a group of Spurs fans who were eager to voice their anger at their team’s recent run of results.

“I didn’t like what was being said because I’m a human being but you’ve got to cop it,” Postecoglou admitted in his pre-match press conference ahead of Tottenham’s home clash against Chelsea this weekend.

“I’ve been around long enough to know that when things don’t go well you’ve got to understand the frustration and the disappointment.

“They’re rightly disappointed tonight because we’ve let a game of football get away from us. I’m OK with all that. They gave me some direct feedback, which I guess is taken onboard.

“All I can say is, I’m really disappointed with tonight and I’m determined to get it right and I will keep fighting until we do."