Kieran McKenna interested in Fulham job as Thomas Frank mooted for Premier League return

Kieran McKenna is interested in replacing Marco Silva as Fulham manager, talkSPORT understands.

McKenna is viewed as Fulham’s number one target after Silva quit to join Benfica.

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However, the Ipswich Town boss’s buyout clause increased to £8million as a result of promotion to the Premier League.

Several top-flight rivals have already shown interest in McKenna ahead of next season.

Celtic have also been linked with a move for the 40-year-old in recent months.

Other cheaper options for the Cottagers include ex-Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank.

The Dane is available after he was sacked by the north London club in February.

Frank previously spent seven years in charge of Brentford, guiding the Bees into the Premier League for the first time.

McKenna’s future

Meanwhile, McKenna is fresh from winning his third promotion as Ipswich manager.

The Tractor Boys finished second behind Coventry City in the Championship to secure an immediate top-flight return.

McKenna won back-to-back promotions with Ipswich to take them from League One to the Premier League before their relegation in 2025.

His current deal at Portman Road, which he signed in May 2024, has two years remaining.

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Crystal Palace have shown interest in McKenna in recent weeks amid their search for a new manager.

However, a move to appoint Lens boss Pierre Sage is now being explored by the Conference League winners.

The Northern Irishman had also been linked to Bournemouth before Marco Rose was confirmed as Andoni Iraola’s successor.

Fulham under Silva

Silva guided Fulham to Premier League safety once again last season.

Following their promotion in 2022, the Cottagers have not finished lower than 13th.

Their second successive 11th place finish last term guaranteed a fifth-straight top-flight campaign.

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Fulham had been in contention for European qualification but ended the season a point adrift of eighth place Brighton.

It would have been the club’s first continental campaign for 14 years and just their fourth overall.