Declan Devine has left his role as Glentoran manager by mutual consent. The club confirmed the departure on Monday after a difficult start to the season that sees them eighth in the Premiership with seven points from seven games.
Devine took over as interim boss in March 2024 and was appointed permanently the following month. His two and a half year tenure included a County Antrim Shield triumph but also consecutive BetMcLean Cup final defeats to Cliftonville and Linfield. The club finished no higher than third in the league under his leadership.
A season of struggle
The decision follows a winless run of three league matches, culminating in a 1-1 home draw with Bangor last Saturday. That result left Glentoran 12 points behind league leaders Coleraine, a gap that widened further with a 2-1 defeat to the same opponents just days later. The team's recent form reads one win, one draw and three losses from their last five outings.
Owner Ali Pour stated that the time was right for a change, expressing his appreciation for Devine's efforts. Pour also noted that the manager had been given the biggest budget of any boss at the club. In a statement, Devine thanked Pour, the players and all staff for their support during his time at The Oval. He encouraged supporters to get behind whoever takes charge next.
Assistant manager Tim McCann, who will oversee Tuesday's game against Coleraine alongside Paddy McCourt, said players must take accountability for recent performances. The interim duo face a tough task to steady the ship, with the squad having seen key departures like Cammy Palmer in the summer and new signings like Conor McMenamin needing time to adapt.
What comes next
Glentoran's immediate focus is on finding a permanent successor to revive their campaign. The search begins with the team sitting in eighth place, having scored and conceded nine goals so far. Their next league fixture is a trip to face Crusaders in December, a side they lost 2-1 to at the end of August.
The club's statement made clear the ambition remains high, but results had not matched expectations this term. Devine's last act was to urge unity for the new era, a message the board will hope resonates as they plot their next move.
