Who will be the next Derry manager following Mickey Harte's resignation?

Derry are on the search for their next manager as Mickey Harte came to an abrupt end this week as the Tyrone man stepped down with two years remaining on his contract.

And as the news broke of Mark McHugh denying any immediate move to the Oak Leaf County in a coaching capacity, it quietened the speculation about the 2012 Donegal All-Ireland SFC winner and former Fermanagh defender Ryan McCluskey linking up with Rory Gallagher for the latter to reprise his role as Derry manager. 

But who are the favourites linked to the vacant role? 

Rory Gallagher

 Gallagher has been identified by many within the county and the GAA as the man who brought about the good fortunes experienced by the Oak Leafers. 

The Fermanagh man ended the county’s baron spell without an Ulster title as he guided them to the trophy in 2022, their last coming in 1998. And his side managed to gain promotion back to Division 1 of the National League, which meant Derry would play at the highest level in this competition for the first time since 2015. 

Gallagher stepped down from his role as Derry manager last year following domestic abuse allegations by his estranged wife, Nicola. Gallagher has always denied the allegations. His temporary suspension from the GAA was lifted in February of this year following a successful appeal to the DRA after he was “temporarily debarred” from the association until an investigation regarding this was concluded.

It is hard to foresee the reaction within the county should Gallagher be reappointed or whether the clubs will put forward his name for nomination. 

Malachy O’Rourke

 Currently in charge of the reigning All Ireland club champions, Glen. O’Rourke would be a popular appointment. 

He turned down Derry prior to the county appointing Harte, as O’Rourke looked to become immortalised in the Maghera’s side's history by leading the club to All Ireland glory. 

Having achieved this, his outlook may be different. 

O’Rourke is no stranger to inter-county management, as he led Fermanagh to their first Ulster senior football final in 26 years, eventually losing to Armagh. 

His time ended after the county’s relegation to Division 4 of the National League in 2010. 

O’Rourke would then manage Monaghan from 2013 until 2019, and this would be an incredibly successful period for the county. 

In his first season, he guided Monaghan to their first Ulster title in 25 years, and he would guide the county from Division 3 to Division 1 of the National League in successive seasons. 

Derry may wait till the end of Glen’s club season should they appoint O’Rouke, but he may be worth the wait for the county. 

Conleith Gilligan

 The Ballinderry man is currently a coach within Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh setup.

The Orchard men have been the bridesmaids in recent years, as they lost the 2024 and 2023 Ulster Championship finals.

His involvement with Armagh is not the taste he has had of coaching at the highest level, as Gilligan was a member of the coaching staff in the Kilcoo setup, with notable achievement in his time there, an All Ireland club title in 2022. And last season, Gilligan was joint manager at Tyrone club Edendork. 

Despite not being as accomplished or experienced as the two frontrunners for the job, Gilligan is an exciting coach with the potential to reach the standards set by O’Rourke and Gallagher. 

Damian McErlain

 McErlain was previously manager of the Oak Leafers between 2018 and 2019. 

Derry were relegated to and promoted from Division 4 of the National League under his stewardship. His spell was not well remembered, but the promotion began the journey to Derry’s Division 1 title under Harte. 

He was replaced by Gallagher in 2020, and for the last two seasons, he has been Derry’s minor manager. 

This is his second spell as minor manager. In his first spell, he guided Derry to the 2017 final, where they lost to a Kerry side inspired by David Clifford. Before this season, he guided Derry to back-to-back All Ireland minor titles, which has put McErlain in the conversation for the job with his recent underage success. 

But following his last experience at senior level, he may opt to stay in the role he is thriving in. 

 Who else is in the frame?

 Ronan Devlin is pulling up trees in Ulster, with his reputation as a top-class coach growing every day. The Ballinderry man is currently in charge of Cargin. He guided them to back-to-back Antrim senior championships and is still in the role, so he may only have an outside chance for the Derry role. 

Barry Dillon is also in the picture after he led Ulster University to Sigerson Cup success. The Ballinascreen native has a wealth of club management experience, and he was assistant to John Brennan during the Lavey man’s tenure from 2010 to 2012. 

Ciaran Meenagh was appointed as interim boss after Gallagher’s departure last season, and he lifted the Ulster title before guiding Derry to defeat in the All Ireland semi-final to Kerry. Meenagh was offered the role permanently, but he declined, which led to the eventual appointment of Harte in the role. 

Enda Muldoon has an outside chance of being appointed manager of the county; he has been a coach in the previous two setups under Harte and Gallagher.