Kieran McKenna of Ipswich Town has emerged as one of the options to replace Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.

According to Football Insider, the Seagulls have selected the 39-year-old as a potential replacement for the Premier League boss.

Brighton hired Hurzeler in the summer of 2024 after Roberto De Zerbi left, but the club had previously been associated with McKenna.

The Northern Irishman was considered to be a major possibility to take over amid uncertainty over De Zerbi’s future, but he ultimately committed to Portman Road.

McKenna was preparing Ipswich for life in the Premier League at the time, but a 19th-place finish in the top division resulted in the Suffolk club being relegated to the Championship, where they are now aiming for promotion again.

Brighton and Hove Albion shortlist Kieran McKenna amid mounting Fabian Hurzeler pressure.

McKenna is one of four candidates Brighton is considering as a replacement for Hurzeler, if the Seagulls decide to break ways with their German head coach.

The 32-year-old remains in command at the AMEX Stadium, but a 2-0 FA Cup loss to Liverpool last week has increased the pressure on his position.

McKenna is regarded as one candidate to take charge of the Seagulls if a change in coach is made.

Kjetil Knutsen, Bo Svensson, and Edin Terzic are also thought to be on Brighton’s shortlist, with the club facing relegation this season.

Brighton are presently 14th in the Premier League rankings, seven points ahead of West Ham, although they have gone winless in their last six league games.

Meanwhile, Ipswich are aiming for a top two finish this season, as they currently sit fourth in the Championship table.

The Tractor Boys are seven points behind second-place Middlesbrough, but they have two games in hand and may potentially play in the same division as Brighton next season.

Kieran McKenna’s uncertainty is nothing new for Ipswich Town, but the Brighton post may not be appealing enough.

Ipswich has previously resisted Brighton’s interest, so they have faith in their ability to retain McKenna.

Any decision on his future at Portman Road will most likely be determined by whether or not the club is promoted to the Premier League this season.

If the Suffolk club to return to the top flight, McKenna will be hard pressed to leave what he has achieved at Portman Road until a truly outstanding opportunity arises.

It’s also difficult to imagine him leaving Ipswich when the club is in the midst of a promotion race, in case Brighton decides on Hurzeler in the coming weeks – someone like Tottenham or Manchester United could be a game changer, but Albion are unlikely to be on that level.