Former Manchester United coach Kieran McKenna has revealed how he learnt from Sir Alex Ferguson as he embarks on his first managerial job.
The former first team coach is now in charge at Ipswich, having left Old Trafford shortly after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival as interim boss.
McKenna had previously worked as a coach under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before leaving to take up the reins at Portman Road, and in the process become the youngest manager in the EFL at just 35.
Despite his young age, McKenna has made a great start to his time in charge of Ipswich, winning four of his six games in charge so far as the Tractor Boys look to end their spell in League One this season.
And as he embarks on his managerial career, he has his experience of learning from one of the game’s legends during his time at United to fall back on.
“When I started working with the first team at United, I was 32 and the group included Ashley Young, who was a couple of years older than me, Antonio Valencia had been at the club a long time, and there were a few others as well,” McKenna told The Mirror.
“But players don't judge you on age – if they see you have quality as a coach and quality as a person, they will respond and be happy to work with you.
“I had a good relationship at United with all the senior players and age was never a barrier. You will always be your age in years, but your coaching age can be different when you start very, very young.
“I haven't spoken to Sir Alex since I left, but he was absolutely fantastic to me in my time there – very supportive of me from the moment I arrived.
“Obviously everyone thinks so highly of him around the club and throughout football, and I know he's on the end of a phone if I ever need him, and that's a great support to have.
“Even as a youth team coach, we would watch games, chat sometimes about players and performances and it was a privilege to work with such an icon and a role model.”
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