JIM MCGUINNESS IS reportedly set to join the new management team for the Down footballers, according to reports.
The Irish News writes that the 2012 All-Ireland winning boss might be linking up with Conor Laverty in what would be his first inter-county position since stepping away from Donegal at the end of 2014.
McGuinness then began a coaching career in soccer, where he linked up with Celtic FC before taking over USL side Charlotte Independence.
Laverty, who helped the Kilcoo club to senior championship honours in Down at the weekend, was recently ratified for another term as the Down U20 manager after guiding the team to an Ulster title.
But he is now poised to take over the senior squad and is expected to be joined by Marty Clarke, who was part of Laverty’s U20 backroom team.
Surprised someone with a ego as big as Jim’s would go in as part of a ticket like this
@mel roberts: Hasn’t worked out soccer wise for him or at least not to the level that he thought it would. On the face of it would seem totally unsuited to the Down way of playing football. They must think he has something to offer, good luck to them I suppose.
Puke football coming to a Down team near you.
@a: my thoughts exactly. Jim does not fit the DNA of Down football. Himself and to a lesser extent mickey harte almost destroyed Gaelic football
@Peadar: the football Mickey Harte player in the noughties is as good as anything I’ve seen in my lifetime
@mel roberts: yes, I would agree with that to a degree. He did have fantastic players though who could play the game in a defensive manner and make it look good. That was up until about 2008. After that the players weren’t nearly as adept at providing entertaining football in the defensive set up and ultimately couldn’t entertain in the same way. The result was stagnant football and a boring defensive game until Harte finally let go of the reins.
First step in the return to Red & Black glory
@Michael Hayes: I hope you’re right but I’m not so sure.
Managers aren’t paid in the GAA, ROFL!!!