“McKenna in Brentford talks?” Football world stunned by new twist in managerial merry-go-round!
The football world is still reeling from the surprise appointment of Thomas Frank as the new head coach of Tottenham Hotspur, but it appears the dominoes are only just beginning to fall. With Frank leaving Brentford to take over at Spurs—following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou—all eyes have now turned to Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, who has emerged as the frontrunner to fill the void at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Sources close to the West London club indicate that Brentford’s board has already begun drawing up a shortlist of potential candidates, and McKenna is not just on the list—he’s topping it. According to industry bookmakers, McKenna is being offered at odds as low as 4/5 to be appointed as Brentford’s next manager, making him the odds-on favourite.
The 39-year-old has become one of the most sought-after managerial talents in the English game after masterminding Ipswich Town’s remarkable climb from League One to the Premier League in just two seasons. His transformation of the Tractor Boys has not gone unnoticed by bigger clubs, with reports over the past year linking him to Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion.
But now, Brentford could be the club that finally lures McKenna away from Portman Road.
One twist that has taken observers by surprise is the role of Justin Cochrane, a highly respected coach at Brentford. Rather than being promoted to replace Frank, Cochrane will reportedly follow him to North London and join the coaching setup at Spurs—eliminating a key internal candidate and opening the door even wider for McKenna.
Bookmakers currently list former Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews, who served as Brentford’s set-piece coach, as the second favourite behind McKenna. He’s followed by another Irishman, John O’Shea, the former Manchester United stalwart, whose odds sit at 8/1—making him a long shot compared to the front-running McKenna.
McKenna’s position at Ipswich, however, isn’t exactly shaky. Just last summer, he reaffirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new contract, despite being linked with multiple Premier League outfits. That said, the opportunity to take over a stable, Premier League-level club like Brentford—with their proven recruitment model and financial backing—could prove too tempting to turn down.
The Ipswich board, supporters, and players will no doubt be watching the developments with bated breath. For a club that has just celebrated its return to top-flight football, losing the man who led them there would be a devastating blow. Yet football is nothing if not unpredictable—and this latest twist proves just how quickly the landscape can shift.
While there’s been no official approach from Brentford at this stage, insiders believe it’s only a matter of time. With Frank now locked into a contract at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium until 2028, Brentford’s hunt is set to accelerate rapidly—and McKenna may soon have a decision to make.
As one Ipswich fan posted on social media, “If Brentford take our gaffer after all he’s done for us, it’ll be the heartbreak of the summer. We can’t afford to lose McKenna now—not after everything!”
The drama, it seems, has only just begun.
