McKenna tipped as 'dark horse' to replace Klopp at Liverpool

Cameron Smith

Updated: 2 Apr 2024 21:57 BST
4 min read

Kieran McKenna, Liverpool, Ipswich, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is a “dark horse” to replace Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer.

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Klopp has announced that he will step down once the 2023-24 season ends and the Anfield side are currently assessing their options in regards to who will succeed the legendary German manager.

Dream target Xabi Alonso has committed his future to Bayer Leverkusen, leaving Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Sporting CP’s Rubem Amorim as the leading candidates. However, The Athletic’s David Ornstein has stated that De Zerbi is unlikely to be Liverpool’s choice.

The Italian has impressed with his style of play since replacing Graham Potter at the AMEX Stadium - Klopp is a known admirer - but he is seemingly behind Amorim in Liverpool’s wish-list.

However, MacAnthony believes that McKenna would be a sensible appointment for Liverpool.

He told TalkSPORT: “I was being laughed out of the studio by [producer] Luke – a Liverpool fan - this morning, as an outside dark horse [to replace Klopp].

"I love his brand of football. I’ve been watching him since last year in League One and what he’s done.

"You can say that Ipswich are a big club, but they didn’t go out and spend mega-millions in the summer.

“They kept a large part of the squad and the team from League One and they’re top of the Championship with five or six games to go, it’s incredible really.

“It’s not just his coaching and managing, it’s his style as well. It’s great to watch," MacAnthony continued.

“I think he wins promotion with Ipswich this year and he’ll surprise people with what he’ll do with them in the Premier League and within five or six years, he’ll be managing a top six club.

“That’s with due respect to Ipswich. I respect everything they’ve done there, but I don’t think you can keep a guy like that down forever.”

© IMAGO - Kieran McKenna has done a brilliant job at Ipswich

Kieran McKenna to Liverpool?

It may be a slightly premature suggestion, but McKenna has proven himself to be one of the most promising young English managers in the game.

He guided Ipswich to promotion from League One last season and they are currently top of the Championship, on course to seal back-to-back promotions.

McKenna has cultivated a feel-good atmosphere at Portman Road and his style of play is the main reason why they are competing for a place in the Premier League with virtually the same squad they had in League One.

The Ipswich boss was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching team at Manchester United and he appears ready for a job as big as the Liverpool one. However, staying with Ipswich would be the sensible move, especially if they achieve promotion to the Premier League.

McKenna is settled at Ipswich and joining Liverpool isn't something he should push for this early into his managerial career.