Ex-Man Utd coach Kieran McKenna lined up for first Premier League job after taking Championship by storm with Ipswich

IPSWICH boss Kieran McKenna has taken the Championship by storm but is now in line for his first role in the Premier League, a report claims.

The ex-Manchester United U18 manager’s work this season has not gone unnoticed and a move to Crystal Palace to replace Roy Hodgson may be on the cards.

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Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna is admired at Crystal Palace[/caption]

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Palace are on the hunt for a Roy Hodgson replacement as they have not won their last eight games[/caption]

McKenna, 37, is on route to lead Championship side Ipswich for automatic promotion as they currently sit second in the league – seven points clear of third place Leeds.

But things for 76-year-old Hodgson have not been so bright at Palace as the Eagles have failed to win in their last eight games.

According to the Telegraph, McKenna is admired at the South London club and is one of the top targets to replace their veteran boss.

Palace hoped to keep Hodgson until the end of the season before they hired a younger boss to implement a new vision at Selhurst Park.

But McKenna’s ability, coupled with the team’s poor form, may force Palace into accelerating their vision, though that will depend on whether he is open to a move.

With Hodgson’s contract not up until the end of term the club would have to pay the former England boss off.

And McKenna will not come cheap as Palace would have to pay compensation for him.

The report claims McKenna may not be open to leaving Ipswich mid-season, especially if they fail to secure promotion, as he has built a strong relationship with the club’s fans, players, and board.

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McKenna also lacks experience in leading a top-flight team having only coached the Red Devils’ youth teams for two years and assisted the senior side for three.

But Palace are just three points above third-from-bottom Luton Town and with a tough fixture list ahead a sacking may be imminent.

Hodgson did a superb job to save Palace from relegation last season and his team has managed to score just 19 goals in their 19 games so far this season.

Newly unemployed Steve Cooper also features on Palace’s list of candidates to replace Hodgson.

However, it may be too soon for the Welshman to return to the dugout as he was only sacked by Nottingham Forest 11 days ago.