Gary O’Neil is emerging as a leading contender to succeed Kieran McKenna as manager of Ipswich Town.The 43-year-old guided Strasbourg to eighth in the French top flight last season after taking over from Liam Rosenior who has also pitched for the vacancy at Portman Road.Having replaced Rosenior, O’Neil took Strasbourg to the semi-finals of the Coupe de France and the UEFA Europa Conference League.O’Neil previously coached Wolves and Bournemouth where he worked with fewer resources than Ipswich had on their last spell in the top flight. He has also masterminded victories over Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham during his managerial career and earned plaudits for his possession style of play.McKenna left this week amid interest from the likes of Fulham but insisted he was leaving to seize an opportunity to re-charge. Ipswich are also protected with a compensation clause should he return to work elsewhere in the near future.Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton, asked if McKenna’s replacement would have to have Premier League experience, replied: ‘If you look at my history of recruiting managers I’m proud that I give British managers their first opportunity, whether that’s Aidy Boothroyd, Brendan Rodgers (both at Watford), Kieran McKenna – all of who went on to be very successful. Gary O’Neil is a leading contender to take the managerial role at Ipswich ‘Is it impossible to do that this time around? It’s not impossible, but it’s far more difficult. Kieran got his opportunity in League One where he could build. Brendan and Aidy were in the Championship.’Giving a manager their first job in the Premier League is not impossible, but it is difficult. Some would say it’s more risky. The likes of Brentford have just done it extremely well (with Keith Andrews), but they are an established Premier League club and have the infrastructure and the readiness for that.’Bodo/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen is another under consideration.