Portadown have turned to one of the most successful and celebrated managers in Irish League history with confirmation of David Jeffrey’s appointment as boss.

Jeffrey – winner of over 30 trophies across a glorious career in the dugout with Linfield and Ballymena United – will now take charge of four-time Irish League champions Portadown one week on from the departure of Niall Currie.

Currie, manager of hometown club Portadown across two spells, left the side in a shock exit last week and Shamrock Park officials have taken swift action with the appointment of Jeffrey.

Jeffrey has been working as a media pundit since leaving Ballymena in 2023 but viewed as a long-term target for Portadown’s Board of Directors.

placeholder image — David Jeffrey, pictured celebrating success during his trophy-laden spell at Linfield, has returned to club management with Portadown. (Photo by Pacemaker)

His surprise return to the dug-out, however, is set to delight Ports fans left stunned by the end of a Currie period which secured promotion as Championship champions, back-to-back seasons of safety in the Premiership and a League Cup final appearance.

Now, with the Ports sitting eighth heading into the closing game of the season on Saturday away to Bangor, Jeffrey’s confirmation sets up an exciting summer at Shamrock Park.

Gary Thompson, the Ports club captain, had been appointed interim manager last week and helped – alongside senior players Aaron Traynor and Aaron McCarey - steer the club to victory over Ballymena United, following a run of five defeats and three draws across the closing Currie era.

Portadown confirmed in a club statement Jeffrey “arrives at Shamrock Park as a name synonymous with football in Northern Ireland, but most importantly with winning having a track-record of lifting league titles and trophies during his time in charge of both Linfield and Ballymena United” and how “the new Portadown manager will take up his post following the conclusion of the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership campaign, with Gary Thompson remaining in charge for this Saturday’s final fixture against Bangor”.

The club added “David will be joined by David Douglas who returns to Shamrock Park as head of recruitment and football operations”. Douglas was performance analyst at the club under Currie.