Former Irish League manager believes Gary Haveron has made Larne 'even better'

Haveron was part of Tiernan Lynch’s coaching staff when the Inver Reds collected consecutive Premiership titles and created history by reaching the Conference League’s League Phase before twice taking on interim managerial roles.

It was Haveron in the dugout when Larne secured their best-ever European win against Belgian top-flight outfit Gent last term and he was once again put in temporary charge following Nathan Rooney’s exit.

In October, Haveron signed a three-year contract to become Larne’s permanent manager and has led their charge to the Premiership summit.

Since being appointed on a full-time basis, Haveron hasn’t tasted league defeat with Larne putting together a 17-match unbeaten run, while they have also progressed to the Irish Cup sixth round, facing Warrenpoint Town on Saturday.

The Co Antrim club are now firm favourites to collect a third Gibson Cup crown across the past four seasons, currently holding an eight-point advantage, and former Larne ace Small believes Haveron has taken them to new heights.

"I think he has done a fantastic job,” said Small. “Everybody outside of the club probably thought they’d fall from the place they were, but not only has Gary stabilised, he has made them better in some ways.

"I know Gary would heap the praise on the players and coaching staff, but the way they’re working down there...they were a quality side before, but they look like they’re even better, more consistent and harder to beat now while still having great attacking options.

"He has done fantastically well. I’m sure Gary had confidence in his own ability and he knew what was at his disposal, but maybe deep down he didn’t even know how it would go.

"Gary has been there a long time as a coach around the players and it’s really difficult to step up from a coaching staff member who is working closely with the players to being the main man, the manager, and get the results and performances he has, it’s really impressive.”

As someone who has held both manager and assistant positions throughout his own coaching career, Small has watched on in awe as Haveron stepped up seamlessly at Larne.

Being the main man brings different pressures, making ruthless decisions in pursuit of silverware success, and Small feels how he handled that transition is one of Haveron’s biggest achievements.

"It’s one of the most difficult transitions,” he added. “Coming into the club as a new manager is difficult, but I think in some ways stepping up from already being part of the coaching staff is harder.

"You’ve been friendly with the players, a sounding board for them, a shoulder for them to cry on when they’re not playing, but then you’re the one making decisions – it’s really difficult to transition from coach to manager within the same club.

"Being an assistant somewhere and then going in as manager at another, that’s hard enough, but to do it within the same club, within the same season as he has done, and get the cohesion he has, it’s a phenomenal job.”