Ruaidhri Higgins 'honoured' to be new Coleraine chief as Dean Shiels' replacement at The Showgrounds is confirmed

The Limavady native has been quickly drafted in to replace the void left by Dean Shiels, who departed the club after less than a year in charge at the helm.

Higgins is no stranger to the Coleraine Showgrounds after having played for the club for a solitary season after a glittering career at both Derry City and Dundalk.

The 40-year-old would then move into coaching as he embarked on roles at both Dundalk and the Republic of Ireland.

However, he moved into management at Derry City and guided the Candystripes to the 2022 FAI Cup and the 2023 President’s Cup.

His spell at the Brandywell came to an end last year after finishing fourth in the League of Ireland and losing out to Drogheda United in the FAI Cup final.

Higgins’ first game will be next Wednesday against either Dungannon Swifts or Crusaders in the European play-off semi-final.

Speaking about his new position, Higgins said: "I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity at a club that is going in the right direction on and off the pitch.

"I'm really happy, it was good to get in amongst the players and the staff as they all seem really good people and people I'll look forward to working with.

"I'm grateful for the opportunity.

"I've had plenty of inquiries but I said it openly that I needed a breather and I enjoyed my time off.

"But the last wee while I've started to get a bit itchy.

"I've had a few discussions with different people but what attracted me to this club was that I played here for a small period and I actually started my coaching pathway in the Academy here.

"I really enjoyed that and the ambition the club has to move forward is a big, big factor.”

Higgins will be joined by Conor Loughery in his coaching staff with the club confirming that “further announcements regarding the club’s football operations will follow in due course”.

"I’m also delighted to be bringing Conor Loughrey in alongside me,” Higgins added. “He’s someone I trust and value highly.

"He’ll add real energy and detail to the coaching team.”

The Bannsiders have yielded from recent investment from new majority shareholder Henry Ross, and Higgins knows this has increased expectation levels amongst the fan base.

"We want to improve on the league position next year,” said Higgins at his official announcement. "I think qualifying for Europe next year has to be the bare minimum and challenge for silverware - it's as simple as that.

"There's not much point in me sitting here and saying otherwise.

"We have to challenge for silverware but we have to get to a point where we are competing with the top sides and that's the next step.

"Hopefully, we can see that in the very near future.”

Ross said Higgins’ swift appointment to the hot seat is “a key moment” for the club, which has been made with “both the short term and long term in mind”.