DERRY CITY HAVE moved quickly to install their new permanent manager with the appointment of Kenny Shiels.

The 59-year-old has previously managed Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock as well as Irish League clubs Coleraine and Ballymena United.

He takes over the reins from Paul Hegarty, who turned down the opportunity to take on the role full-time after guiding the Candystripes to a seventh-place finish this season.

The Derry native will bring a wealth of experience and local knowledge to the Brandywell as the club look to reverse their fortunes after a couple of disappointing seasons.

Shiels, who recently worked with BEC Tero Sasana in Thailand, becomes the fifth Derry manager since the departure of Declan Devine in October 2013.

Since lifting the 2012 FAI Cup, Derry have experienced a downward spiral and narrowly avoided being dragged into a relegation dogfight this campaign.

In a statement on their website, the club hopes Shiels’ ‘extensive knowledge of the local game and his experience in Scotland will prove valuable to City as they look to reverse a disappointing 2015 season.’

‘Liverpool had many great players… but the players here have been at the highest level’

Dimitri Payet lit up the West Ham training ground with two outrageous pieces of skill