Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being considered for a Premier League return, with Ipswich Town placing the former Manchester United boss high on their list to replace Kieran McKenna at Portman Road.
McKenna stepped down last week, just weeks after guiding the Tractor Boys to a third promotion in five years and a place back in the top flight. The 40-year-old had been linked with the Fulham job after Marco Silva's exit, but insisted he quit to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family. “I feel this is the right time for me to step aside,” he said. “I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.”
“Solskjaer and O'Neil lead Ipswich's manager race after McKenna's surprise exit.”
Now Ipswich’s hierarchy must find a successor to lead their survival hopes. Solskjaer, who managed Manchester United between 2018 and 2021, has been out of work since being sacked by Besiktas in August last year. He was keen for a quick return after leaving Old Trafford but was overlooked for a return to Manchester United last season in favour of Michael Carrick, with the club feeling it would be better to avoid someone who had done the job before. The Norwegian previously presided over Cardiff’s relegation to the Championship, but would no doubt like another chance to prove himself in the top flight.
McKenna worked under Solskjaer – along with his assistant Martyn Pert – at Manchester United when the Norwegian led them to second in the Premier League in 2020-21. Solskjaer took a break from management after leaving United, but was keen for a quick return following his exit from Besiktas.
Gary O’Neil is also a leading contender. The Strasbourg boss has long been admired by the Ipswich hierarchy, and the club’s interest in him was reported by the BBC earlier this month. O’Neil played at Bristol City when current Ipswich chief executive Mark Ashton was CEO. The French side had been confident of keeping the former Wolves head coach, who joined them in January, but he remains a candidate for the Tractor Boys. O’Neil has a track record of keeping Premier League clubs up: his first managerial gig was at Bournemouth, whom he kept in the top flight in 2023, and he then led Wolves to 14th after arriving on the eve of the season.
Ipswich are now weighing their options as they prepare for life back in the Premier League under new leadership.