Not through, Brentford set to land Kieran McKenna, Ipswich Town blow as Spurs hone in on Thomas Frank
A managerial merry-go-round is underway in English football, as Brentford edge closer to appointing Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna, dealing a heavy blow to the Championship side’s hopes of building on their recent momentum. At the same time, Tottenham Hotspur are stepping up their interest in Brentford boss Thomas Frank, setting the stage for a potential chain reaction across three clubs.
Multiple sources have confirmed that Brentford have identified Kieran McKenna as their primary target to take over should Thomas Frank depart for Spurs. The Bees have reportedly opened talks with McKenna’s representatives, and while no agreement has been finalized, progress is said to be “advanced.” The 38-year-old has turned heads across the football world after guiding Ipswich to back-to-back promotions, elevating the club from League One to the Premier League with an eye-catching style of play and a reputation for detailed tactical preparation.
For Ipswich Town, this development couldn’t come at a worse time. Having just returned to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades, the club had hoped to retain McKenna as the cornerstone of their long-term strategy. The Northern Irishman’s blend of progressive football, player development, and calm leadership has endeared him to both fans and the club’s board. However, with Premier League interest mounting — and the prospect of a more stable, top-flight environment at Brentford — Ipswich may struggle to hold on.
McKenna is understood to be seriously considering the move, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Ipswich’s summer recruitment plans and Premier League survival prospects. Brentford, on the other hand, offers Premier League stability, a strong sporting structure, and a squad that has more than held its own in recent seasons.
Meanwhile, at Tottenham, the search to succeed Ange Postecoglou — or potentially add structural changes to the club’s coaching setup — has led them to intensify their pursuit of Thomas Frank. The Dane has been on Spurs’ radar for several months, and with his consistent success at Brentford, including an 8th-place finish and a reputation for tactical adaptability, he is seen as a strong fit for Tottenham’s long-term ambitions.
Should Frank accept an offer from Spurs, Brentford are expected to move quickly to secure McKenna as his replacement, making it one of the most pivotal off-field moves of the summer. This potential domino effect is already creating a stir among supporters, particularly at Ipswich, where anxiety is growing over the prospect of losing the architect of their recent rise.
A club insider at Ipswich commented:
> “We’ve done everything we can to show Kieran that he’s wanted here. But when Premier League clubs come calling, especially stable ones like Brentford, it’s hard to keep hold of top talent.”
More to come here.
