Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna responds to Bournemouth links amid Andoni Iraola exit

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Kieran McKenna refused to be drawn on reports claiming he is keen on the Bournemouth job following the news that Andoni Iraola will depart The Vitality Stadium at the end of the season.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Iraola will not renew his contract with Bournemouth , who had hoped to convince the Spaniard to prolong his spell on the south coast. The 43-year-old is likely to have no shortage of suitors this summer with Crystal Palace and Manchester United both admirers of the former Rayo Vallecano manager.

Bournemouth's search for a successor is already making news and McKenna is said to be on a three-man shortlist for the job, with a source telling The i Paper that the 39-year-old sees the move as 'the next logical step' for him.

But the highly-rated Ipswich Town boss said he had "nothing to say" when asked about the Cherries job after Tuesday night's 2-0 loss at Portsmouth.

“No, nothing to say on that. I've got no interest in discussing or thinking about that at the moment,” the Northern Irishman told reporters. “It’s such an important time for us here and it’s full focus on our goals.

“Focus is just on such an important stage of the season with us right here.”

It remains to be seen if McKenna would be tempted to trade Ipswich for Bournemouth if the Suffolk outfit can secure an instant return to the Premier League via a second promotion in three years.

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McKenna previously guided Ipswich to successive promotions, taking them from League One to the top-flight. They were relegated last year but are currently second in the Championship, one point ahead of third-placed Millwall with a game in hand on their rivals.

Defeat at Fratton Park was a golden opportunity to consolidate second spot with Portsmouth fighting for survival at the other end of the table. But two quick-fire goals at the end of the first half was enough to give Pompey victory in the rearranged fixture.

Ipswich face Middlesbrough in a crunch promotion six-pointer at Portman Road on Sunday, though they could now start the game behind Millwall, who play QPR 24 hours earlier, after dropping points in their crucial game in hand.

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