Pride and pain after Declan Devine exit from Glentoran 'tremendous honour' aware of 'fine margins'
Declan Devine left the “tremendous honour” of life as Glentoran boss reflecting on Monday evening on “fine margins” behind the pride and pain of his two-year Oval run.
High-level Glentoran sources insisted on Monday afternoon Devine “hasn’t resigned and he hasn’t been sacked” – but a club statement hours later put an end to speculation by announcing coaching staff Tim McCann and Paddy McCourt in interim charge Tuesday against Irish League leaders Coleraine.
One figure close to the Glens’ situation told the News Letter “he’s still an employee of the club...as of now” on Monday lunchtime, with players holding a pre-match training session as normal under Devine. However, a return of seven points from the opening six Premiership games served as growing fallout before high-flying Coleraine’s visit to Belfast just days after supporters during the home draw with Bangor voiced frustration at both half-time and full-time.
“Managing Glentoran has been a tremendous honour,” said Devine in the official club statement confirming a departure “mutually agreed”. “I returned with one ambition and that was to bring success back to this club. I have given everything to trying to achieve that. After a great deal of reflection and conversations with Ali (Pour, owner), we agreed that the time is right for me to step away and for someone else to take the club forward. I would have loved to have achieved more, but I am proud of what we have built over the past two-and-a-half years. There were incredibly fine margins, with two BetMcLean Cup finals decided after extra-time and a league challenge last season that went to the final day. Ultimately, we fell short and nobody is more disappointed about that than me. I believe there are strong foundations in place, both on and off the pitch, for the next manager to build upon and take the club forward. I want to thank Ali and Paul (Millar, sporting director) for their trust and support. They have invested a huge amount of time, energy and resources into moving Glentoran forward and I know how determined they are to deliver the success this club deserves.”
Devine added in a message to fans “you want Glentoran to compete, to win and to be successful, and I leave wanting exactly the same thing”.