Solskjaer emerges as Ipswich Town candidate to replace promoted McKenna

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is being considered for the Ipswich Town manager’s job, according to the BBC, as the newly-promoted Premier League club searches for a replacement for Kieran McKenna, who confirmed his departure from Portman Road last week.

McKenna’s exit comes just weeks after he steered Ipswich to a third promotion in five years, leaving the club in need of a manager to lead their top-flight survival bid. The 40-year-old cited a desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for his decision. “It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club,” McKenna said. “When you have the connection that we have built at this club, there is never a good time to say goodbye.”

Solskjaer, who managed McKenna during his time as a coach at Manchester United, has been without a role since he was sacked by Besiktas in August 2024. The Norwegian has previously been reported to harbour ambitions of a return to management, and a move to Portman Road would represent his first Premier League appointment as a head coach.

His managerial record in England’s top division is limited but not without merit. He took charge of Bournemouth in 2023 and kept them in the Premier League before moving to Wolverhampton Wanderers, where he guided the club to a 14th-place finish despite taking charge on the eve of the season.

Solskjaer had also been mentioned as a potential candidate at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s sacking earlier this year, but the club ultimately appointed Michael Carrick instead. Prior to his stint in Turkey, his most recent Premier League role ended in dismissal at Old Trafford in November 2021, with United sitting eighth in the table.

Gary O’Neil, currently managing Strasbourg in France, is also reported to be among the candidates Ipswich are weighing up. O’Neil earned recognition for his own Premier League survival work, most notably keeping Bournemouth up before later taking charge at Wolves.