As Erik ten Hag’s time at Manchester United looks as though it may be at an end, it seems the club are looking at potential replacements, with sources stating that they have already met with former under-18s coach, Kieran McKenna.
The Ipswich Town boss – who was recently voted the LMA’s Manager of the Year after getting Ipswich Town back into the Premier League for the first time in 22 years – has suddenly become one of the most in-demand names in the country, being linked with Brighton, Chelsea and now Man United.
According to Sky Sports, United have already met with McKenna following his successful promotion campaign in the Championship (just his second year as a senior men’s coach), with representatives now making it apparent that he is on the list of candidates to succeed ten Hag if he departs.
Reports go on to claim that the likes of outgoing Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel, Brentford coach Thomas Frank and recently sacked Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino have all been named on United’s most immediate shortlist, but several other names have been floating around in recent weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Other names linked with the job have included former German national coach Hansi Flick, Sporting Lisbon coach, Ruben Amorim, and even Gareth Southgate at times – though the England boss was quick to rubbish the rumours ahead of Euro 2024 as “disrespectful”.
Speaking of paper talk before big games, it’s fair to say that the links with McKenna and talks around ten Hag come at a fairly awkward time for the club, with United taking on recently re-crowned Premier League champions Man City in just the second-ever Manchester derby FA Cup final this weekend.
ADVERTISEMENT
He was careful to be coy in an interview with Sky earlier this week, where he insisted the speculation is inevitable but that his focus is on “the future ahead” and looking back at what his side has achieved over the past two seasons, but the latest on ten Hag’s rumoured status at the club could change things.
"There's always going to be speculation" 🖋
Kieran McKenna addresses rumours surrounding a potential move to either Brighton or Chelsea 🤔 pic.twitter.com/OGPFU5Zema
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2024
With McKenna securing back-to-back promotions with Ipswich, lifting them out of League One and now into the English top flight within just two seasons at the club, it’s clear that he’s gone on to become an adept coach in the short time since he left United.
Having been praised heavily for his work amongst the youth ranks and going on to become a key assistant during the best days of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s rollercoaster reign, it was long thought that McKenna was largely underrated – and that evaluation is now looking more convincing than ever.
ADVERTISEMENT
All that being said, this is all overlooking the assumption that the 38-year-old Irishman is the frontrunner and if he even feels he is ready to take the job, or that the likes of Chelsea won’t tempt him with a more convincing and immediate offer given that they are currently without a coach full-stop.
Let’s just say that if reports are to be believed, whether anything goes ahead between him and his former employers could very well come down to whether Wembley is lit up red or blue tomorrow evening – unless they haven’t been decided already, that is.
Manchester United are declining to comment on whether or not a decision has been made regarding Erik ten Hag’s future.
Swinton women’s Lionesses rebrand is officially off the ground
Danny Jones
Following an initial announcement late last year, local rugby club Swinton Lions’ women’s team has finally and fully rebranded as Manchester Swinton Lionesses.
The Salford-founded rugby league club, whose men’s team competes in the RFL Championship, has a long and rich competitive history, as well as a fervent male and female following in the area.
As one of the most important and well-established outfits in women’s rugby, Swinton Lions have not only officially relaunched as the Lionesses from 2026 onwards, but are looking to re-establish themselves as their own entity and a competitive powerhouse capable of competing at the top level.
In case you hadn’t heard about the rebrand up until now, you can get a closer look at changes not only to the name but the club crest and more.
As you can see, not only is the shift towards Manchester rather than just strictly Swinton a concerted effort to broaden the supporter base across all 10 boroughs, but there are some key tweaks to the new Lionesses badge.
Changing the design of the lion logo itself – as well as citing 2020 as a key date in this rebirth (i.e. the short-lived push to be renamed the ‘Manchester Lions’), which is more than half a decade in the making – they’re heading into the new year with both a new name and a slightly new look.
Just as reported by the likes of sports journalist Johnny Davidson back in November, however, the title and insignia have been a long time coming.
As per a press release by the club at the time, besides new kits and some key admin, “This evolution is about more than a new name or logo; it’s about creating a platform for women and girls across Greater Manchester to be inspired, to belong, and to believe they can achieve greatness in our sport.”
They insist that the aim is to be a “progressive club that’s proud of its history but unafraid to innovate”, also looking to attract new investors and commercial partners – such as Superfly Sports Flags, which will now appear on the likes of players’ shorts and boot bags, as well as around Heywood Road.
'The Swinton Lionesses today proudly announced the launch of their new identity – the Manchester Swinton Lionesses – marking an exciting new chapter not only for women’s rugby league but for the evolution and ambition of one of the sport’s most historic clubs.
Women’s captain Sammi Simpson went on to state: “We’re so proud of what this team has achieved in such a short time, and this next step feels like a natural evolution.
“Wearing ‘Manchester Swinton Lionesses’ on our shirts will remind us of where we’ve come from — and how far we can go together. We want to inspire the next generation of players, supporters, and families to be part of something special.”
Even Mayor Andy Burnham has expressed his excitement, adding: “Manchester is a city built on sport, strength, and community — and the Manchester Swinton Lionesses embody all of that.
“This new identity is a powerful statement about where women’s rugby league is heading and the role Greater Manchester will play in shaping that future.”
As any rugby fan will know, this isn’t the only rebirth of a local sporting institution currently taking place over in Salford.
Manchester City reach ‘agreement in principle’ to sign winger Antoine Semenyo
Danny Jones
Yes, if the latest reports are to be believed, Man City are further bolstering their offensive options with a deal for another wide forward in Bournemouth star, Antoine Semenyo, now virtually done.
Having emerged as one of the Premier League’s hottest properties over the past couple of years, Antoine Semenyo has gone from not only being an extremely prolific winger, but beyond a flavour of the month, with multiple teams expressing their interest in recent months.
That being said, despite being linked with local rivals Manchester United, current champions Liverpool and an already heavily staffed Chelsea side, it looks as though City have now won the race to sign Semenyo – one they seem to have been leading since the start.
According to sports journalists Ben Jacobs and Alex Crook, the Blues have now reached an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Ghanaian international, meaning it is merely just a case of crossing Ts and dotting Is.
🚨 BREAKING: Antoine Semenyo's move to Manchester City from Bournemouth is now agreed in principle. Clubs in process of drafting paperwork.
Clarity on Semenyo's move date expected in the next 24 hours.
As per the update on New Year’s Day (and the opening 24 hours of the 2026 January transfer window), the talkSPORT correspondents claim that while final personal terms are still to be fully confirmed, the deal is effectively done.
Semenyo’s release clause was set at £65 million, which is approximately the same figure they sold former striker Dominic Solanke to Spurs for, but inevitable add-ons and bonuses are likely to set a club record fee in terms of player sales.
Writing on social media, Crook said: “Semenyo move from #AFCB to #MCFC pretty much done now. Deal agreed in principle, and contracts being drafted by the two clubs.”
Moreover, Semenyo joining City could also set a few other dominoes in motion once officially over the line and fully announced…
However, it is also thought that manager Andoni Iraola’s insistence that the draw against Chelsea was “definitely not” his last game suggests that City fans will still have to wait some more before they see him in the sky blue strip.
The Cherries’ boss has been clear that he wants his attacking talisman to feature in their upcoming game against Arsenal this weekend.
As a result, this will most likely see completion of the albeit all but done transfer delayed even further, hence why Pep Guardiola and co. will have to wait to try him in the starting XI.
It’s also worth noting that although the 25-year-old made it clear he doesn’t just want somewhere he can win trophies, but has already named the Etihad Stadium as his desired destination, many have suggested that he could end up losing momentum amid the wealth of attackers being rotated.
Happy with the business, Blues? And as for you neutrals, do you think it’s the right next step for him?
Danny Jones -
24th May 2024 
