Ipswich Town manager and former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna has detailed what it was like working under Jose Mourinho during his spell at Old Trafford.
The ex-Chelsea boss was the last manager to win silverware for the Reds, having won the League Cup and Europa League in 2017. His two-year tenure turned sour towards the end of his stay and he left in 2018 after winning just seven of United's first 17 league games of the season despite finishing second the campaign prior.
Ahead of that final season, 36-year-old McKenna was promoted by Mourinho from the academy into the first-team setup alongside now-Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick.
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Both stayed in their roles upon the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before McKenna left for Ipswich in December last year under Ralf Rangnick, following Carrick’s own departure following his caretaker spell as United boss.
McKenna is in the midst of a promotion push with Ipswich in League One, just a point behind leaders Plymouth. Speaking to the League Of 72 YouTube channel, he outlined what it was like working under Mourinho at United.
He explained: “He's [Mourinho] been very open with his staff as he has been at different clubs, he's very open and honest at the start with 'this is what I want, what I need you to do' and really clear with it.
“Your responsibilities are really clear with Jose but when you earn the trust, the conversations change a little bit and maybe he wants your opinion more, can discuss things more on a level.
“Of course you're respectful as a young coach with a man who has won so many titles and Champions League titles and you're respectful with your opinions. He was always open with his staff and wanted input and ideas but ultimately was strong.
“He's the ultimate decision-maker and one of the most important aspects as the first-team staff is once he's made the decision everyone is 100 per cent behind it and you follow his way.”
Prior to moving to United in 2016, London-born McKenna had worked at Tottenham - where he was once a youth player - and was head of the Under-18s when Mauricio Pochettino was in charge.
After making the switch to Carrington, he led United’s youngsters to the Premier League Northern Division title in his second season prior to his promotion to the first-team setup.
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