Glentoran Targets Cliftonville Boss Jim Magilton as New Manager

Glentoran have set their sights on Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton as the man they want to replace Declan Devine at the Oval.

Devine’s two-year spell ended on Monday after a flat, faltering start to the season that left the board with a decision they could no longer dodge. By Tuesday night, the club were already in caretaker mode as assistants Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann took charge – and watched their side lose at home to Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine.

The search for a new manager has moved quickly. Magilton has emerged as the clear front-runner, with Glentoran making a formal approach to speak to the Cliftonville manager. The timing adds an extra edge: the two clubs are due to meet at Solitude on Saturday in a league fixture that now carries a storyline far beyond the three points on offer.

Jim Magilton's Impact

Magilton, 57, took over at Cliftonville in 2023, succeeding Paddy McLaughlin, and wasted little time in stamping his authority on the north Belfast club. He delivered Irish Cup glory the following year, finally ending a 45-year wait for the trophy and restoring a sense of silverware expectation at Solitude.

His impact has not been limited to one competition. The former Northern Ireland international, whose coaching and managerial journey has taken him to Ipswich Town, the Irish FA, Dundalk and Melbourne Victory, guided the Reds to the 2025 BetMcLean Cup as well. That success came at Glentoran’s expense, with Cliftonville beating the east Belfast side in the final.

Two months later, though, Magilton and his players felt the other side of cup football, losing to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup decider. Even so, the body of work is strong enough to place him at the top of Glentoran’s wishlist.

Now the question hangs over the Irish Premiership: will the man who has rebuilt Cliftonville be tempted to cross the divide and try to revive a stuttering Glentoran?