New Derry City Manager

**Aaron** · 06/01/2012, 6:12 PM

Declan Devine with Paul Hegarty as Assistant!! All the best Decky, hope it works out and we have many years of success

**Martinho II** · 06/01/2012, 6:50 PM

Im surprised with the appointment.. I was sure Willie McStay was going to get it. Was he ever in the running in the first place?I am not surprised with Hegarty as asst mgr but not Devine..

**Aaron** · 06/01/2012, 6:53 PM

Originally Posted by Martinho II

Im surprised with the appointment.. I was sure Willie McStay was going to get it. Was he ever in the running in the first place?I am not surprised with Hegarty as asst mgr but not Devine..

McStay was very much in the running, but apparently wanted flew in from Scotland. Devine was the fans favourite and most fans wanted him. Good knowledge of the league, of local players and a very good coach. Will have the respect of the players also.

**Predator** · 06/01/2012, 8:08 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron

McStay was very much in the running, but apparently wanted flew in from Scotland. Devine was the fans favourite and most fans wanted him. Good knowledge of the league, of local players and a very good coach. Will have the respect of the players also.

A club like Derry should not have managers that "fly in". What kind of commitment is that? Unbelievable.
With that in mind I'm doubly glad that McStay didn't get it. He's been out of Irish football for a while and, well, the last time we took a punt like that, it didn't work out (Robertson).
Devine will look to build on Kenny's success - something he was very much a huge part of - and with Heggsy there too, I am happy enough. Firstly we need to start replacing the players that have gone (Harkin, McGlynn, McClean, Zayed, Greacen, Friars), but I hope each signing is carefully weighed up, no panic signings.

**oriel** · 06/01/2012, 9:31 PM

I wouldnt have put up with the flying in from Scotland option, but also surprised by this appointment. I'd count myself as having a very good LOI knowledge, been around this scene since the late 70's, but I didnt know anything about the guy, is it not a big gamble for a club with moderate competitors for finishing comfortably in the top 4, prob top 3 next season (with an experienced manager)

Good luck to the man, everyone deserves a chance, just surprised Derry didnt go for someone a lot more experienced.

**Predator** · 06/01/2012, 9:41 PM

Originally Posted by oriel

... is it not a big gamble for a club with moderate competitors for finishing comfortably in the top 4, prob top 3 next season (with an experienced manager)

I had a conversation with a friend about this earlier. I take your point, but Devine will have learned a lot from Kenny over the years and will try to build on that foundation. Then you have the steady, steady hand of experience with Heggsy, who will keep people on their toes. It's not a bad management team when you consider the other real options.

The way I see it, the board is dead right to be cautious financially (don't want ruin as we had recently) and if they are to take a chance, they're better taking a chance with someone who is familiar with the club and Irish football. In that sense, I'm happy they have Devine rather than the cowboy Sean Connor or English conference assistant Willie McStay who allegedly wanted to be flown in.

**Rover'n'out** · 06/01/2012, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

The way I see it, the board is dead right to be cautious financially (don't want ruin as we had recently) and if they are to take a chance, they're better taking a chance with someone who is familiar with the club and Irish football. In that sense, I'm happy they have Devine rather than the cowboy Sean Connor or English conference assistant Willie McStay who allegedly wanted to be flown in.

Had the bould Seanie his hat in the ring for the job or are you just surmising?

**Predator** · 06/01/2012, 10:40 PM

The Journal reported that he was either contacted or had applied.

**Aaron** · 07/01/2012, 1:54 AM

He was interviewed for it

**Flexy** · 07/01/2012, 9:27 AM

Good Luck Decky, only concern for me would be, will he have the experience to entice players to come to Derry. In the past experienced managers have been able to bring good quality players like Zayed and Gracean to the club, dont know if Decky can do that. Hes a quality coach but theres a big difference between managing and being first team coach.

**VinnyDCFC** · 07/01/2012, 11:38 AM

Some material from the press conference last night

(c) Online Video, Derry

http://vimeo.com/m/34685837

**Cuyahoga** · 07/01/2012, 11:44 AM

Paul Heggarty is the typical footballer/coach, eating chewing gum throughout the press conference like a cow chewing the cud.

**nigel-harps1954** · 08/01/2012, 10:22 PM

I almost miss the screams of Paul Hegarty..

**marinobohs** · 09/01/2012, 11:01 AM

Think its a good choice by Derry.May lack management experience but brings continuity from the Kenny era. The outcome (good or bad), I suspect, will hinge on whether or not he can entice decent players to replace those that left the club. On the positive side he is taking over a club that has done well recently so ..... if it aint broken....