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McGuinness oversaw Donegal's All-Ireland win earlier this year. INPHO/Colm O'Neill

Donegal's McGuinness set to take up part-time Celtic role - reports

According to reports, McGuinness will work with Celtic for three days a week while continuing as Donegal boss.

CURRENT DONEGAL COACH Jim McGuinness looks set to take up a part-time role as performance coach of Celtic’s youth department, according to reports.

Speculation surrounding McGuinness’ future intensified, when he was spotted in attendance at the Scottish club’s game with Barcelona on Wednesday, while GAA journalist Ewan MacKenna suggested on Newstalk’s Off the Ball that the move was “inevitable”.

MacKenna said that having made “a number of calls” yesterday, it appears as if he will be appointed to help enhance Celtic’s youth set-up.

“It seems to be that McGuinness thinks he can do it on a part-time basis,” MacKenna added, explaining that the esteemed coach is eager to remain in charge of the Donegal team, while simultaneously undertaking his new, prospective role.

MacKenna later elaborated on the story, tweeting:

“As for McGuinness, led to believe he’ll be performance coach at academy, three days a week and should be officially confirmed in coming days.”

Similarly, The Irish Daily Star have indicated that the move looks likely to happen, reporting that McGuinness met with Celtic officials yesterday.

Such a decision would come as little surprise, with McGuinness having been regularly linked with a move to soccer following Donegal’s All-Ireland triumph earlier this year.

In addition, Celtic boss Neil Lennon, who was at this year’s All-Ireland final, is understood to be a long-term admirer of the coach

The move would still likely to cause consternation among Donegal GAA officials however, with the side ideally seeking to retain McGuinness as manager on a permanent basis.

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    Mute hbenroe
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    Nov 9th 2012, 9:10 AM

    All the best of luck Jim. As a Donegal person I believe Jim owes the people of Donegal nothing.he went for the job of manager 3 times. When he did eventually get the job he proved himself. Jim has a young family, he has to look after them too.I hope he gets nothing but support from the people of Donegal for his decision.

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    Mute hbenroe
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    Nov 9th 2012, 9:38 AM

    Sorry I did not mean to enter this twice

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    Mute Damien O'Connell
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    Nov 9th 2012, 7:43 AM

    The reaction to this will be very interesting indeed… Donegal’s very hardcore Celtic. Some torn souls methinks…

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    Mute Ann-Marie Wallis
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    Nov 9th 2012, 7:52 AM

    So true…not surprised with this seeing the connection between Donegal and Glasgow. Hope he is successful at Parkhead!

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    Mute Paul McGovern
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    Nov 9th 2012, 8:49 AM

    Torn souls?

    With all due respect to Jim McGuinness Celtic are hardly going to win the Champions League because he takes a job with the youth team.

    If I was a Celtic supporting Donegal person I know what I’d prefer.

    Best of luck to Jim. Though I’d wonder is this a breach of the famous contract they all signed two years ago based on total commitment?

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    Mute Gerard Behan ®
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    Nov 9th 2012, 8:36 AM

    Good man Jim,will do a great job

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    Mute Lorraine Keane
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    Nov 9th 2012, 8:27 AM

    Wish him every success but and there’s always a but, I just can’t see this happening or lasting. Maybe I’m wrong

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    Mute Mark Kiely
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    Nov 9th 2012, 7:40 AM

    What a joke!

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    Mute tony duggan
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    Nov 9th 2012, 7:44 AM

    Expand??

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    Mute MonaghanRichie
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    Nov 9th 2012, 7:44 AM

    Explain why you consider this a joke. Jim McGuinness brought a team from nowhere to win an All Ireland with His Sports Psychology methods.

    Are You perhaps a bitter Mayoman ?

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    Mute stephen cleary
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    Nov 9th 2012, 8:30 AM

    what’s a joke about it? players get jobs all the time because they are on a panel so why can’t a couch?

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    Mute @aidoroch
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    Nov 9th 2012, 9:17 AM

    couches don’t make good coaches

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    Mute hbenroe
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    Nov 9th 2012, 9:10 AM

    All the best of luck Jim. As a Donegal person I believe Jim owes the people of Donegal nothing.he went for the job of manager 3 times. When he did eventually get the job he proved himself. Jim has a young family, he has to look after them too.I hope he gets nothing but support from the people of Donegal for his decision.

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    Mute Patrick Kennedy
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    Nov 9th 2012, 9:53 AM

    fair play to him, just dont see how he is goin.to be able to combine the two jobs

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