Ex-Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in two-horse race for Premier League job

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Ole Gunnar Solskajer could be presented with a chance to return to the Premier League as new boys Ipswich look for a man to replace Kieran McKenna.

McKenna, who had worked under Solskjaer at Manchester United , announced his exit from Portman Road last week . His departure comes just weeks after he guided the club to a third promotion in five years, but Ipswich will need someone new to lead their hopes of survival.

Solskjaer has been out of work since he was sacked by Besiktas in August last year, but has now been linked with the vacancy at Portman Road. The Norwegian was tipped for a return to Manchester in the aftermath of Ruben Amorim's axing, but the club went with Michael Carrick .

The former player turned coach would no doubt like a chance to prove himself in the top flight following an underwhelming end to his time in charge at the Red Devils. Before that he had taken charge at Cardiff , but ultimately presided over the club's relegation to the Championship.

He remains keen for a return to the dugout and the BBC reports that he and Gary O'Neil are among the candidates being considered by Ipswich.

O'Neil is currently in charge at French club Strasbourg, but is admired by those at Portman Road. He has a track record of performing well with Premier League clubs fighting the drop. His first managerial gig was with Bournemouth , whom he kept in the top flight in 2023. His next job was at Wolves , only arriving at Molineux on the eve of the season, but still led the club to 14th.

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McKenna's departure from Suffolk came as he was heavily linked with the Fulham job after Marco Silva's exit, but the 40-year-old insistx hequit to take a break from the game and spend more time with his family.

"I feel this is the right time for me to step aside," he said. "I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club."