Former Linfield chief insists David Healy 'unquestionably right man for the job'

Northern Ireland legend Healy has enjoyed a trophy-laden decade in charge at Windsor Park, leading Linfield to six Premiership titles alongside three League Cup crowns and two Irish Cups.

The 46-year-old came in for heavy criticism following Linfield’s Irish Cup exit to second-tier Limavady United earlier this month, but his side have since responded by winning three consecutive league matches, scoring 13 goals in the process.

An unbeaten Premiership run of eight games has kept the Blues’ slim hopes of retaining their title alive, currently sitting in third, eight points adrift of leaders Larne, who they will face at Inver Park on Tuesday.

While some Linfield fans called for change on social media following their shock cup defeat, Graham has no doubt that Healy remains the perfect man to lead the Belfast club forward – and believes he’ll never get the credit he truly deserves.

"David Healy is unquestionably the right man for the Linfield job,” he said. “Knowing the resources he has been given over his tenure at Linfield, knowing the environment he has had to work in, the structure of the club - or lack of structure at times - David Healy has done a phenomenal job.

"He doesn't deserve the criticism. What I love about David Healy is, no matter how many times you criticise him, he keeps coming back stronger the next time.

"David would never ask anybody to defend the indefensible, getting knocked out by Limavady United was obviously a very bad night for the club, but David is the best Irish League manager since David Jeffrey.

"He will never fully get the credit he deserves for what he has done at Linfield."

Linfield are fighting against the likes of full-time rivals Coleraine, Larne and Glentoran for silverware while investment across the Irish League has driven further competition.

With the Blues considering selling a minority stake to secure a cash boost, Graham believes extra finance in the Premiership is positive, but says it can’t be all about buying success.

"Investment in the Irish League overall is a good thing, it will raise the standards of the league,” he added. “The real success is having an Irish League club in the group stages of European football regularly, every season.

"That could only be good for the game in Northern Ireland and reflect well on the overall profile of not just the league, but also the international team etc.

"I also think we need to be mindful that simply buying our way to the top of the league is not, in my view, a healthy way to do business.

"Henry Ross seems to be doing a good job in building the structure of a club at Coleraine, Larne have done something similar.

"There's probably still question marks over Glentoran - Ali Pour says himself the money he has put in he will never get back out and that would suggest it's more of an emotional investment rather than a sensible business investment.

"I think it's really important that investment is placed in the right areas of the club - into the club's academy, recycled back into growing the club organically and raising the overall standard, rather than trying to outbid and overpay in the transfer market."