Crystal Palace Fail in Push to Sign Ipswich Town Manager, Kieran McKenna
Crystal Palace have encountered difficulties in convincing Kieran McKenna to replace Roy Hodgson but remain hopeful that the Ipswich manager could potentially take over at the end of the season.
Steve Parish, the Palace chairman, has reportedly engaged in discussions with McKenna’s representatives. However, McKenna seems reluctant to consider leaving Ipswich while his team sits in fourth place, contending for promotion in the Championship.
Parish has long admired the 37-year-old former Manchester United assistant, who joined Portman Road in December 2021 and recently extended his contract after guiding Ipswich to promotion last season. Any potential move for McKenna, who is also being considered by West Ham if they decide not to renew David Moyes’s contract, would entail substantial compensation.
Parish would prefer to wait until the summer to replace Hodgson but has contemplated dismissing the 76-year-old amidst a run of four wins in the past 18 league games, which has dragged Palace into a relegation battle. He has explored other candidates in recent weeks, including former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui, previously with Wolves.
The upcoming matches against Everton and Burnley could be decisive for Hodgson’s future, considering they are against teams in the bottom three.
Hodgson expressed confidence in his players after the Chelsea defeat, stating: “I want to emphasize that there’s no complacency here … But if the question is: ‘Do I think that this group of players are good enough to get us out now?’ I do. I think they showed a lot [against Chelsea] which gives me even more faith and belief.”
Regarding the speculation linking him to Palace, McKenna reiterated his commitment to Ipswich, saying: “My full focus and commitment is with Ipswich and the season that we’re having and the next game ahead.”
