Glentoran have confirmed the departures of assistant coaches Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann from their backroom setup. The changes follow the recent appointment of Duncan Ferguson as the club's permanent manager, with Gary Bollan stepping into the assistant role.
Sporting Director Paul Millar thanked both men for their contributions. He noted McCourt's role in raising standards across the football operation and leading the team on an interim basis last month. Millar said McCann's association with the club, which began in December 1998, spanned almost three decades as both a player and a coach, earning him a lasting place in its history.
McCourt, who joined as assistant manager in June 2024, helped the Glens win the County Antrim Shield and reach two successive BetMcLean Cup finals. He served as interim manager in September 2026, overseeing a five-match unbeaten league run that included four wins and a draw with four consecutive clean sheets. In a statement, McCourt thanked the club's board and former manager Declan Devine for the opportunity.
Tim McCann made 281 appearances for Glentoran as a player, scoring 41 goals and winning 14 trophies, including three league titles and three Irish Cups. He served across several spells on the first-team coaching staff. "Representing Glentoran as both a player and a coach has been a privilege," McCann said.
Batey's tribute to McCann's passion
Former Glentoran captain Pete Batey, who alongside McCann led the team on an interim basis, paid an emotional tribute to his former team-mate's dedication. "There's nobody on a Saturday that would want Glentoran to win more than Tim, that's the truth," Batey said. He added, "If you could get Tim's passion for Glentoran to win a football match, put it into a glass and get everybody to drink it, we would have 20 titles in 20 years!"
Batey also advocated for the return of another club legend, Paul Leeman, to a backroom role, citing his experience and passion. Leeman made 597 appearances for the Glens, winning four league titles and four Irish Cups.
The backroom reshuffle comes as Ferguson's side sits fourth in the Premiership table with 21 points from 13 games. They are unbeaten in their last five league matches, a run of form that reads three wins and two draws, during which they have scored an average of 1.8 goals per game. Their next challenge is a trip to face Carrick Rangers, who are sixth, on Saturday, November 7 in a key fixture. Goalkeeping coach Elliott Morris, a club legend with 742 appearances, remains part of the setup under the new manager.
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