Kieran McKenna has addressed recent links with a move away from Ipswich Town, explaining that he isn't focused on the rumours.

The Northern Irishman was immediately installed as the favourite for the Brighton & Hove Albion job following Roberto De Zerbi's departure over the weekend, with numerous outlets also naming him among the frontrunners to take over at Chelsea after Mauricio Pochettino left via mutual consent last night.

Sky Bet have listed him at 11/10 to join Brighton and 3/1 to join Chelsea, with online speculation causing some Town fans to panic that he won't be in charge for the upcoming Premier League season.

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However, speaking after winning the LMA Manager of the Year award last night, he was keen to stress that the ongoing rumours are a normal part of being a successful football team, which the Blues have been by securing back-to-back promotions.

“The club’s had such a positive season and has such a bright future ahead," he told Sky Sports. "We’ve achieved so much, it’s been an incredible two years, and when you’ve had those two years there’s always speculation and things like that. There’s been that every summer.

“I know how much everyone’s looking forward to the season. I think the club is on a fantastic path and everyone’s just looking forward to the season ahead.

“When you do well as a manager or a player, there’s always going to be speculation. I know what we’ve achieved is not an ordinary thing, so of course there’s going to be speculation then.

“That’s not where my focus is, to be honest. Tonight’s about what we’ve achieved last season, what we’ve achieved over the last couple of seasons – not just myself but everyone at the football club.

“It’s been a wonderful couple of years, so tonight is about celebrating that. I know everyone’s looking forward to next season and I know the club will be in a really, really good place going into that season.”