Man Utd ‘make contact’ with Kieran McKenna as INEOS decide on Ten Hag | Football | Sport

Manchester United have reportedly made the first move in their attempt to hire Kieran McKenna as Erik ten Hag’s replacement.

Ten Hag is gearing up for his third cup final in two seasons as Red Devils boss, but it could prove to be the Dutchman’s last game in charge.

According to The Guardian, United have already decided that Ten Hag will be shown the door following Saturday’s cup final, regardless of the result against rivals Manchester City.

United finished eighth in the Premier League table, having dropped points in over half of their fixtures this term, while also finishing the campaign with a negative goal difference.

However, United will have to move quickly if they wish to lure McKenna to the club, given interest in the 38-year-old is strong.

Brighton and Chelsea are both said to be keen on the promotion-winning machine, with McKenna looking likely to depart Ipswich this summer.

But if United miss out on the ex-Red Devils coach, it’s suggested two former Chelsea bosses sit top of their shortlist.

Both Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pochettino have been mentioned as alternatives, as the managerial merry-go-round continues to operate in full force.

Pochettino was allowed to walk away from Chelsea earlier this week, despite leading the two-time European champions to an unlikely sixth-placed finish.

Whereas Tuchel, who delivered the second of Chelsea’s Champions League wins, is another name attracting attention from the INEOS bigwigs.

It’s claimed Ratcliffe and co. admire the pair’s pedigree and see them as two managers capable of returning United to a top-four finish next season.

Elsewhere, Thomas Frank, Roberto De Zerbi and Gareth Southgate have also been mooted as possible options to take over from Ten Hag this summer.