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Jose set to hand Fermanagh man Kieran a first team role
MANCHESTER United’s Enniskillen born under-18 coach Kieran McKenna is being lined up to join Jose Mourinho’s first team staff at Old Trafford.
Fermanagh man McKenna has made a positive impact coaching United’s youngsters since arriving from a similar role at Tottenham two years ago and his work has not gone unnoticed by Red Devils boss Mourinho.
With Mourinho’s assistant of 14 years Rui Faria leaving Manchester United after Saturday’s FA Cup final against Chelsea, Mourinho is keen to freshen up the senior side’s coaching set-up and is considering promoting McKenna from his current role.
The 32-year-old former Enniskillen Town and Ballinamallard Youth midfielder has impressed onlookers with his man-management style and tactical brain earning rave reviews in Manchester for the exciting, attacking brand of football his youth teams play, which has rarely been the way for United’s first team under Mourinho.
Following Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Watford in United’s final Premier League game of the season, Mourinho revealed that he would not have a new number two as such but suggested a new structure would be put in place which could give McKenna (below) his chance in the big time.
Mourinho has never been afraid to bring young coaches into the fold. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers can testify to that.
When the self styled ‘Special One’ was in charge of Chelsea first time around he brought the then 30-year-old Rodgers up from the youth ranks to work with him at first team level. Like Rodgers, McKenna had to retire from playing early due to injury.
Growing up in Enniskillen, McKenna was viewed as one of the county’s brightest young talents. He also had natural leadership qualities and captained Fermanagh’s Milk Cup junior side.