Brighton identify Kieran McKenna as possible Roberto De Zerbi's replacement

Roberto de Zerbi announced he will leave Seagulls after end of season

According to rumours, Brighton have determined that Kieran McKenna is their top contender to succeed Roberto De Zerbi.

Following the Seagulls’ match against Manchester United on the last day, De Zerbi, 44, will depart the team. Brighton have started to make backup arrangements since the Italian is leaving.

Additionally, Ipswich manager McKenna is a “leading contender” to be given the Amex hot seat, as reported by talkSPORT. McKenna, 38, was Man United’s first team manager under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.

In December 2021, he departed Old Trafford to take over as manager of League One team Ipswich Town. Since then, the Northern Irishman has performed admirably at Portman Road, leading them to promotion from League One in his first full season before pulling off the same feat in the Championship.

Ipswich are well-positioned under McKenna to launch their first top-flight challenge in 22 years.But Brighton will attempt to lure him away from Town in order to face a fresh challenge on the South Coast.

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It looks like McKenna will be in high demand going ahead. If Erik ten Hag is fired, he was rumoured to be heading back to his old team, Manchester United, earlier this week.

De Zerbi, the departing Brighton manager, has been connected to open positions at Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

Chairman Tony Bloom, 54, added: “Roberto has given us two excellent seasons of service in which he has led the club to new heights, not least our first ever European campaign which will live long in the memory of Albion fans.

“We have mutually agreed to end Roberto’s contract at a time that suits both parties allowing us the earliest opportunity to plan for next season, and Roberto plenty of time to consider his next move and his future.

“I am sure our fans will give Roberto and his staff a wonderful and fully deserved send off at the Amex before, during and after tomorrow’s match.

“In the meantime, I’d like to thank Roberto and his staff for all their hard work in the past two seasons. They all leave our club on good terms and with our very best wishes for the future.”

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