Brentford are looking at Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna as a Thomas Frank replacement option in case he moves to Tottenham Hotspur.
A relegation straight back to the Championship wasn't what McKenna and the Tractor Boys had in mind for the 2024/25 campaign, but the odds were always stacked against them. Their drop was confirmed with four games to go after a 3-0 loss to Newcastle United.
It's becoming harder and harder for newly promoted clubs to stay afloat in the top flight. One of the last teams to do it was Brentford, who have way overperformed the expectations that were put on them and are now heading into a fifth-straight Premier League campaign next time out.
A lot of their success can be put down to smart recruitment, but also the work of their Danish manager. Frank, despite his brilliant performances, hasn't been recruited heavily by first division alumni up until now.
He has emerged as a strong candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou, who may be pushed overboard by Spurs after his Europa League final win over Manchester United.
Brentford see Kieran McKenna as a Thomas Frank replacement option
If Frank does head for north London, the Bees have Ipswich's boss down as a potential target, according to Football Insider. McKenna is seen as a strong option to take over from the 51-year-old at the GTech Community Stadium.
Town's relegation hasn't done much damage at all to the Northern Irishman's reputation. He led the East Anglian club to back-to-back promotions in order to reach the Premier League, using many of the same players he used in the third tier at the summit of English football.
His ability to get the absolute most out of his players would fit in line with what Frank has done so far in his six-plus-year stint with Brentford.
Premier League move may prove too tempting for Kieran McKenna this time
McKenna's name was on the lips of Premier League clubs before Ipswich's official return to the first division. Crystal Palace were heavily linked with the former Manchester United coach before they brought in Oliver Glasner.
The Red Devils and Chelsea also thought about appointing McKenna before he signed a new deal to extend his stay at Portman Road until the summer of 2028.
Ipswich may find it tough to hold onto their crown jewel this time around. Previously, they had the prospect, and then the guarantee, of Premier League football to use to convince the 39-year-old to stick around.
Now they are on their way back down the pyramid, and, even though the Tractor Boys are one of the favourites to go back up again, McKenna won't be able to coach them in the top flight for at least another season.
The temptation of a well-run, established Premier League machine like Brentford may be too tough for him to turn down.