Glentoran set to approach former Northern Ireland boss over manager job
The News Letter understands Glentoran are set to make an approach for former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough, who is now their main target to succeed Declan Devine.
Devine departed his role as Glens boss after two-and-a-half years on Monday following a dismal start to the Premiership season – The Oval outfit won two of their opening six matches under his leadership before the two parties “mutually agreed” to part ways.
The Glens had identified Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton as their top choice, but he has opted to remain at the Reds and will now take on the Glens at Solitude this weekend.
It’s understood the Glens have now turned their attention to Baraclough and are set to approach the ex-Queens Park Rangers defender about the vacancy – no offers have been made at this stage and several contenders remain interested in one of the Irish League’s biggest jobs.
Baraclough currently serves as Sporting Director at Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle and hasn’t held a managerial role since leaving Northern Ireland in October 2022, but was assistant at Cheltenham Town in 2024.
The 55-year-old was named Director of Football at AFC Fylde in December 2024 before becoming Partick’s first-ever Sporting Director.
A former Scunthorpe United, Sligo Rovers and Motherwell manager, Baraclough was promoted from his role as Northern Ireland U21s boss to become Michael O’Neill’s senior successor in June 2020.
Baraclough won six, drew eight and lost 14 of his 28 international matches in charge, but provided an opportunity to many current national team stars – Conor Bradley, Trai Hume and Shea Charles all made their debuts under the Leicester-born boss.
He praised the Irish League’s progression during his time in charge of Northern Ireland and looked to the Premiership for talent, selecting Conor McMenamin for the first time in June 2022 following sensational form for Glentoran.
The pair could now be set to reunite in club football with McMenamin returning to The Oval from Coleraine this summer and Baraclough a serious contender to take over from Devine.
Paddy McCourt and Tim McCann, who both served on Devine’s backroom staff, were in the dugout for Tuesday’s late defeat to Coleraine and are set to once again handle first team matters on an interim basis against Cliftonville this weekend.