Glentoran have failed in an attempt to appoint Jim Magilton as their new manager. The club made a formal approach to Cliftonville to speak with their boss, but the 57-year-old will remain at Solitude.
Magilton was identified as a front-runner to replace Declan Devine, who left the Oval by mutual consent on Monday after two years in charge. The Glens are now forced to continue their search elsewhere.
"Jim Magilton will remain manager of Cliftonville despite Glentoran's interest in the former Northern Ireland international," Magilton said.
Magilton was appointed Cliftonville boss in 2023, succeeding Paddy McLaughlin. He led the Reds to Irish Cup glory in 2024 and the BetMcLean Cup in 2025, beating Glentoran in that final. He lost the Irish Cup decider to Dungannon Swifts two months later.
The former Ipswich Town, Irish FA, Dundalk and Melbourne Victory figure now prepares to face his suitors. Glentoran travel to face Cliftonville in an Irish Premiership fixture on Saturday, with the hosts currently fourth in the table. They have won three of their last five matches.
Glentoran sit eighth in the Premiership on seven points after seven games, having scored 9 goals and conceded 10. Their recent form shows just one win in their last five outings. Their search for a new manager continues after assistant managers Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann oversaw a 2-1 home defeat by league leaders Coleraine on Tuesday. The next match is against Cliftonville on 19 September.
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