Glentoran Targets Cliftonville's Jim Magilton for Manager Role

Glentoran have set their sights on Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton as the man to lead them out of their early-season slump.

Declan Devine’s departure from the Oval on Monday, after two years in charge, left the Glens scrambling for a reset following a poor start to the campaign. The immediate aftermath underlined the scale of the task: assistant managers Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann stepped in on Tuesday night, only to watch their side fall to a home defeat against Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine.

The search for a permanent successor has quickly gained focus. Magilton has moved to the top of Glentoran’s shortlist, with the east Belfast club 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 an Irish Premiership fixture that suddenly carries a heavy subplot.

Jim Magilton's Background

Magilton, 57, took the Cliftonville job in 2023, replacing Paddy McLaughlin, and wasted little time in stamping his authority on the north Belfast side. He delivered Irish Cup glory the following year, ending the club’s 45-year wait for the trophy and instantly strengthening his reputation as one of the sharpest coaching minds in the local game.

His CV stretches well beyond the Irish League. The former Northern Ireland international has held roles at Ipswich Town, the Irish FA, Dundalk and Melbourne Victory, experience that appeals to a Glentoran hierarchy eager to reassert themselves among the league’s elite.

Magilton’s recent work has only reinforced that appeal. He guided Cliftonville to the 2025 BetMcLean Cup, beating Glentoran in the final, a result that still stings around the Oval. Two months later, his side reached another Irish Cup final, this time losing out to Dungannon Swifts, but the consistent presence in showpiece games has not gone unnoticed.

Now Glentoran want the man who has been orchestrating their pain on the big days to take charge of their revival. Whether Cliftonville are prepared to let him go, with the teams about to collide on the pitch, is the next battle to be fought.