Wolves and Aston Villa’s Premier League rivals 'plan move' for ex-Man Utd & Tottenham Hotspur coach

Brighton & Hove Albion have already identified their first choice target to replace Roberto De Zerbi if he decides to quit as manager this summer, according to reports.

The Guardian claims that the Seagulls have already begun making contingency plans for the departure of the Italian head coach. The outlet adds that the ex-Sassuolo boss has become increasingly unsettled in recent weeks, due to a combination of his side’s dismal league form and various reports linking him with major European clubs such as Chelsea and AC Milan.

Brighton have dealt with managerial departures well in the past. They took the brave decision to replace Chris Hughton with Graham Potter before hiring De Zerbi after Potter’s departure to Chelsea. Brighton owner Tony Bloom is working hard to ensure that his team are not to be caught cold if the Italian decides to leave.

The South Coast side’s model has been to hire young up and coming coaches with a point to prove and ones that are capable of harnessing the talent of young footballers and recruiting well on a small budget.

For this reason, the report from the Guardian adds that Brighton are paying close attention to Kieran McKenna, who is currently on course to achieve back-to-back promotions with Ipswich Town.

The 37-year-old from Northern Ireland, who previously worked as a coach at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, is renowned for his front-foot attacking style of football and has done a tremendous job of restoring the Tractor Boys to their former glory.

Ipswich have been one of the most consistent teams in the Championship, despite operating under a much smaller budget compared to their promotion rivals Leeds United, Leicester City, Southampton and West Brom. Notably, Ipswich are the highest goal-scorers in the division with 90 in their opening 45 games, which is hugely impressive in their first season back in the second-tier.

Brighton are understood to be prepared to push for McKenna whether or not Ipswich go up. However, loyalty to Ipswich could play a factor given the fact that they gave him his first job in management. Yet financial realities could bite if Ipswich make it to the Premier League. McKenna may decide that the opportunity to join Brighton and work with a bigger transfer budget is too good to turn down.

Ipswich need a point from their final game of the season at home to all-but relegated Huddersfield Town to secure promotion while they would also earn their spot in the Premier League if Leeds fail to beat Southampton at Elland Road.