Want to keep tabs with every hire made at every LOI club this off-season? Consult the tracker below to see where every club is at.
Finn Harps: Advertised the position after parting ways with Ollie Horgan.
Harps finished bottom of the Premier Division in 2022, meaning they are condemned to First Division football for 2023. The club decided to part ways and long-time manager and Ballybofey icon Ollie Horgan, meaning they are looking for a rebuild.
The news only broke this week so it’s early days yet, but astonishingly former Donegal GAA manager Jim McGuinness has been linked to the job. This would be an interesting appointment for a number of reasons.
McGuiness is of course loved throughout Donegal, having won All-Ireland’s as both a player and manager with The Tír Chonaill men. Soccer however is an adopted sport to him.
As he never played at the professional level, McGuiness was ineligible for entry at the UEFA B License level, getting his start in a Kick Start course. Since then he has obtained his B and A license and is in the process of acquiring the pro license, which was disrupted by Covid.
McGuiness has served as a trainer with Derry City, a performance analyst with Celtic, an assistant with Beijing Guoan and a head coach with Charlotte Independence. He has some experience coaching soccer, but needless to say this would still be out of left field.
So far, no other names have been linked with the job. The club have advertised for applications for the role on Social Media today with a closing date of next Friday, 18th November.
Applications are invited for the position of First Team Manager.
— Finn Harps FC (@FinnHarpsFC) November 10, 2022
All applications should be sent to [email protected] by Friday 18th November.#UTH🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/fTXpHEdLmF
Bohemians: Hired Declan Devine.
The Gypsies found themselves needing a new manager after parting ways with long term boss Keith Long during the season following a string of poor performances. Many names were linked with Dalymount Park, from Wexford FC boss Ian Ryan to former Republic of Ireland, Everton, QPR and Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. It was former Derry boss Declan Devine who got the nod however.
Devine has been associated with Derry City on and off his entire coaching career, having been a member of Stephen Kenny’s backroom staff with the Candystripes on both occasions as well as having managed in the Brandywell twice, the most recent spell lasting from 2019 until 2021.
He also served with Kenny in Dunfermline and has experience with the Northern Ireland U16’s. He joins Bohs on a two-year contract, hoping to bring some pride back to Phibsborough after a disappointing 2022.
Longford Town: Parted ways with Gary Cronin
Cronin stepped down as Town boss following the playoff loss to Galway United. The former Bray man only spent one season with the club he once played for.
In a statement, Longford Town said:
“Longford Town FC regretfully announces that First-Team Manager Gary Cronin has departed the club due to personal circumstances.
“Gary was a former player at the club where he made 52 appearances before becoming a coach and assistant manager under Tony Cousins. Gary then went on to manage Bray Wanderers for three and a half years before being appointed manager of Longford Town in December 2021.
“Gary brought the club into another playoff this season, finishing a respectable fourth in the league, only behind full-time outfits Galway, Waterford and league winners Cork City.
“The club would like to express our huge thanks to Gary and his backroom staff for their tremendous efforts this season. We wish Gary all the best in the future.”
It’s early days yet, but some of the names linked include Vinny Perth and Paul Doolin.
Wexford FC: Parted ways with Ian Ryan
Much like Cronin, Ryan resigned following the season. In a club statement, Wexford said:
“Wexford FC regrets to announce that first team manager Ian Ryan has advised us of his resignation with immediate effect.
“The club had been well advanced in its plans to put together a squad made up of the core of last season’s with a number of new additions, so that we could mount a serious challenge for promotion in 2023. Despite this setback, this remains the plan and the process to appoint a new manager, with the ambition and potential to deliver this, will begin straight away.
“We wish to thank Ian for his efforts over the last 18 months and wish him the best of luck. During this time the squad has developed appreciably and we have celebrated a number of great wins and occasions under his tenure. The whole profile and performance of the club has lifted during his time here and we are determined as a club to build on this momentum.”
Ryan was appointed manager in May 2021 and although they finished bottom that season, he guided his side to sixth in 2022. At only 35, he’s rated highly.
He had been linked to local rivals Waterford before Danny Searle took over and with Bohemians before Declan Devine took over. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him hired elsewhere before 2023.
As for who his successor will be, no names have been linked to Ferrycarrig Park as of yet.
Athlone Town: Unclear
Athlone Town hired Martin Russell prior to 2022 and after a bad start parted ways with him ten games into the season. Since then, former manager and player Dermot Lennon has taken place on an interim basis, with underage manager Gordon Brett filling in on occasion.
Whether Lennon stays on in a permanent role or not is yet to be seen. The club haven’t even clarified yet what their plans are, so no names have been linked yet.
Athlone had somewhat of a resurgence under Lennon the second half of the season, beating teams such as Treaty United, Cork City and Galway United. Their awful start however ensured the team would be way off playoff contention from the get-go.
Athlone may decide to attempt to gather some momentum with Lennon if he wishes to stay on or rebuild with yet another new manager. There definitely seems to be a lack of clarity with the Midlanders as of now.
