Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is the surprising name being discussed by English football executives as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate. According to “The Sun” the 38-year-old Northern Irishman, who was previously linked with Manchester United, Chelsea, and Brighton before signing a new contract with Ipswich, is the favorite of FA technical director John McDermott. McDermott is preparing the list of candidates for the position and will play a key role in the final decision. The two know each other from their time at Tottenham, where McKenna previously managed the Spurs’ under-18 team.
🚨Kieran McKenna emerges as shock contender for the England job!
[@MailOnline]FA technical director John McDermott is considered to be a huge fan of McKenna, having worked together when the latter was a Tottenham youth coach.
Thoughts #ITFC fans? pic.twitter.com/S6Fucl70KY
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The other three main candidates for the position are Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, who is currently unemployed after being sacked by Chelsea, and England U21 coach Lee Carsley. Carsley may initially take on the job temporarily if the FA does not choose a permanent manager by September 7, the date of England’s next match.
There are also three foreign candidates linked with the position: Mauricio Pochettino, Thomas Tuchel, and Joachim Löw. According to “The Sun” the FA is not obssesed with the idea that the new manager must be British at all costs, so there is a chance that a foreign manager could be appointed.