Gary O’Neil managed Bournemouth and Wolves in the Premier League. He’s currently at Strasbourg. (Image: PA)
Gary O’Neil
I think there’s a good chance that Premier League experience is going to be a non-negotiable for this hire. O’Neil has that.
Got off to a flyer when caretaker boss of Bournemouth, getting a MOTM nomination followed by the permanent gig, but things tailed off to a 15th place finish and he was replaced by Adoni Iraola.
Then earned praise for guiding Wolves to 14th and the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2023/24, off the back of losing several key men, before getting sacked midway through a turbulent follow-up campaign.
After a year out, the 43-year-old joined Strasbourg in January as Liam Rosenior’s replacement and led them to eighth place in Ligue 1.
A manager who is not afraid to speak bluntly about players or the board. We saw that with his parting rant at Wolves (following a home loss to Town) and, more recently, his dig at Strasbourg owners Blueco for their transfer policy.
Successes have come with a 3-4-2-1 base, with players encouraged to attack at speed.
Brendan Rodgers is currently manager of Saudi side Al Qadsiah. (Image: PA)
Brendan Rodgers
An obvious link given Mark Ashton handed the Northern Irishman his first management job, at Watford, back in 2008.
Made his name at Swansea, almost led Liverpool to a Premier League title, claimed 11 trophies in charge of Celtic and won an FA Cup at Leicester. It’s an impressive CV.
The experienced 53-year-old is on a lucrative contract at Saudi club Al Qadsiah though and insists he will stay there until 2028. The lure of a Premier League return could prove strong though.
Sean Dyche had Burnley consistently punching above their weight in the Premier League. (Image: PA)
Sean Dyche
With 583 games under his belt as a manager, the gravel-voiced 53-year-old is probably the most pragmatic option of all.
Had Burnley punching well above their weight for a prolonged period in the Premier League, twice kept Everton up during a turbulent period, then was given just 25 games at Nottingham Forest last season as Ange Postecoglu’s replacement.
Doesn’t take himself too seriously and generally finds ways to get results. Bulks at the suggestion he can only set up teams to play defensive, direct football. Arguably what Ipswich need to dig their heels in at the top table.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (centre) worked alongside Kieran McKenna (right) and Michael Carrick at Manchester United. (Image: PA)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
If Kieran McKenna’s asked who he thinks should replace him (as Paul Jewell did with Mick McCarthy), then the Norwegian’s name will surely be mentioned. A former Manchester United colleague and close friend of the Northern Irishman’s, he’s attended several Ipswich games over recent years and will have a good idea of the club’s vibe/needs.
The former Red Devils goal getter led United to Premier League finishes of third and second in 19/20 and 20/21 – the club’s first back-to-back top four finishes since Sir Alex Ferguson retired – as well as a Europa League Final.
Has been out of work since being sacked by Turkish club Besiktas in January.
Empathetic man-management and calm communication skills would make him a good personality fit. I think that’s important.
Steve Cooper kept newly-promoted Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. (Image: PA)
Steve Cooper
Welshman achieved his UEFA Pro Licence at the age of 27, was Liverpool academy manager for a spell, then won the World Cup with England U17s. In his first senior management job he led Swansea to consecutive Championship play-offs.
Went one step further at Nottingham Forest, guiding them to a Play-Off Final win and keeping them up the following season, but was then controversially dismissed midway through the 2023/24 campaign with the team 17th in table. He’s still looked back on fondly there by fans.
Took over newly-promoted Premier League side Leicester, but was sacked after claiming 10 points from the opening 12 league games (one more than Ipswich) and constantly criticising officials. Many described that decision as harsh.
The 43-year-old recently left Danish club Brondby after seven months in charge. Finishing fourth and failing to qualify for the Europa Conference League was seen as a failure.
A tactically adaptable manager who is known for trying to foster a culture of togetherness and instil a ‘big club mentality’.
Anthony Barry is at the World Cup as England assistant manager. (Image: PA)
Anthony Barry
Ashton prides himself on having given the likes of Aidy Boothyroyd, Brendan Rodgers and Kieran McKenna their first jobs as managers. Will he be prepared to take that risk as a Premier League chairman? I doubt it. But if he does, Barry fits the bill.
Following a much-journeyed lower league playing career, the Liverpudlian has built up a wealth of coaching experience at an elite level. He’s worked alongside Roberto Martinez at Belgium and Portugal, had a spell with the Republic of Ireland and has followed Thomas Tuchel from Chelsea, to Bayern Munich and now England.
Known for his meticulous tactical planning (once watched 17,000 throw-ins to write a dissertation on the subject) and strong communication skills.
A major issue here is that he’s currently away at a World Cup and might not be available until July 20. As would also be the case with Graham Potter (Sweden) and Mauricio Pochettino (USA), I don’t think the Blues can afford to hang around until the tournament ends given there’s lots of work to do.
Liam Rosenior didn’t last long at Chelsea. (Image: PA)
Liam Rosenior
We saw the sort of football Rosenior can produce when Ipswich played out that thrilling 3-3 Championship draw at Hull towards the back end of the 23/24 promotion season. It was strange to see him sacked off the back of that play-offs near miss.
The 41-year-old went on to do well at French club Strasbourg before making a switch to co-owned Chelsea in January. He was sacked after little more than 100 days in charge at Stamford Bridge though (W11 D2 L10).
Were some of the slightly cringey soundbites jumped upon a bit too much? Perhaps. Does failure at Chelsea, who are a bit of a basket case at present, completely trash his CV? I don’t think so.
Had a loan spell at Ipswich back in 2009/10. Worked with Jacob Greaves and Jaden Philogene at Hull.
Carlos Corberan is currently manager of Valencia. (Image: PA)
Carlos Corberan
Spaniard developed under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, almost led Huddersfield to the Premier League, then, after a brief spell at Olympiakos, made West Brom a competitive force in the Championship. Ipswich’s 2-0 defeat at the Baggies in November 2023 certainly stuck in McKenna’s mind because he went on to sign four of that back line.
Corberan has been in charge of his hometown club Valencia for the past year-and-a-half, overseeing La Liga finishes of 12th and ninth. Now, heading into the final year of his contract, the 43-year-old may have some frustrations at the club continually selling its best players.
Likes his teams to press high out of possession and build up patiently with the ball.
Ruben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United in January. (Image: PA)
Ruben Amorim
Charismatic Portuguese did so well in his first job at Braga that Sporting Lisbon paid €10m Euros for his services. Two league titles and some big results in Europe later, Manchester United came calling.
His spell at Old Trafford proved to be a disaster. First game was a draw at Portman Road, with Ed Sheeran gate-crashing the post-match TV interview. Was criticised for not bending when it came to his preferred wing-backs system, while press conference quotes always created big headlines.
Somehow clung onto his job after finishing 15th and losing the Europa League Final to Tottenham, then, despite an upturn in results, was sacked in January after strongly criticising the club’s scouting department and sporting director Jason Wilcox.
Not sure this a route the Blues would go down. There’s talk that he’s on Fulham’s shortlist.
Ange Postecoglou led Tottenham to Europa League glory but lasted just 39 days at Nottingham Forest. (Image: PA)
Ange Postecoglou
Straight-talking Aussie used trophy-laden spell at Celtic as a springboard into the Premier League.
Insisted he ‘always wins things in his second year’ after leading Tottenham to fifth place. That proved true, thanks to a turgid Europa League Final victory against Manchester United, but a 17th place finish still cost him his job. A raft of key injuries didn’t help, but neither did high-risk, high line football.
Went on to last just 39 days in charge of Nottingham Forest towards the front end of last season, getting sacked with a record of W0 D2 L6 after trying to oversee a sudden style shift post Nuno Espirito Santo.
With the same agency as McKenna. Expect his name to be linked.
Steven Gerrard hasn’t been in management since leaving Al-Ettifaq in January 2025. (Image: PA)
Steven Gerrard
Liverpool legend had success in charge of Rangers, but things didn’t go so well at Aston Villa. He returned to the game with an 18 month spell at Saudi side Al-Ettifaq and has been out of management since January 2025.
The 46-year-old, who has been a prominent pundit of late, has been strongly linked to the vacant post at newly-relegated Championship club Burnley.
Asked whether he planned to return to the dugout, he recently said: “Maybe. I’m enjoying my work-life balance. Coaching is tough. But who knows? You never shut the door.”
Gareth Southgate led England to the latter stages of three major tournaments. (Image: PA)
Gareth Southgate
Flopped in his first and only club management role, at Middlesbrough back in the 00s, but graduated from England U21 boss to unite the nation behind the Three Lions again, leading them to the latter stages of three major tournaments.
Could certainly pick up the high emotional IQ baton from McKenna and be a culture creator, but I’m not sure he’s itching to get into club management again. Seems like he’s enjoying working in different roles away from and around football.
Lee Carsley has led England U21s to two European Championship titles. (Image: PA)
Lee Carsley
Former Republic of Ireland and Everton midfielder experienced various coaching roles at Coventry, Sheffield United, Man City, Brentford and Birmingham before really making his name working with the England youth sides over the last five years.
The 52-year-old the Three Lions’ U21s to European Championship glory in the summer of 2023, working with the likes of Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, led the senior national side for six games following Gareth Southgate’s departure, handing international debuts to the likes Morgan Rogers, Noni Madueke and Morgan Gibbs-White, then returned to the U21s to retain the Euros last summer.
Contract with The FA runs until 2027. Could he be tempted to jump into club football now? If so, could potentially help attract young English players he’s worked with, such as Liam Delap and Ethan Nwaneri.
Danny Rohl has just led Rangers to a third place finish in Scotland. (Image: PA)
Danny Röhl
German was much discussed among Ipswich fans when it looked like McKenna might leave in the summer of 2024.
A protégé of both Ralph Hasenhüttl and Hansi Flick, he was Germany assistant manager in his early 30s, then became the youngest boss in EFL when taking over at Sheffield Wednesday aged 34.
After doing a fine job at Hillsborough in difficult ownership circumstances, Röhl moved to Scottish giants Rangers. He insists he will stay on at Ibrox after a third place finish.