Solskjaer in the running for manager's position at Ipswich

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Gary O'Neil are among the leading candidates to take over as manager at Ipswich. Former Manchester United manager Solskjaer is high on the Tractor Boys' list to succeed Kieran McKenna at Portman Road.

Solskjaer took a break from management after leaving Manchester United in 2021, but he is eager for a quick return after leaving Besiktas last summer. He was passed over for a return to Old Trafford last season in favor of Michael Carrick as United felt it better to avoid someone who had done the job before.

McKenna worked under Solskjaer – along with his assistant Martyn Pert – at Manchester United as the Norwegian led them to second place in the Premier League in the 2020-21 season. BBC Sport reported Ipswich's interest in O'Neil earlier this month, and the Strasbourg manager has long been admired by the club's management.

O'Neil played at Bristol City when current Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton was CEO there. The French club were confident of retaining the former Wolves head coach, who joined the club in January, but he remains a contender for the Tractor Boys.

The club are looking for a new head coach after McKenna resigned last week, despite leading them back to the Premier League by finishing second in the Championship last season. The 40-year-old took charge of the Tractor Boys in 2021 and led them to three promotions in the past four seasons, two of which took the club to the top flight.

McKenna was linked with the Fulham position following the departure of Marco Silva, but he decided to step down to spend more time with his family. “I feel this is the right time for me to step down,” he said. “I do this with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with enormous hope and optimism for the future of the club.”