Former Derry Boss Higgins Named Coleraine Manager

Former Derry City leader Ruaidhri Higgins has been named arsenic nan caller head of Coleraine.

Higgins replaces erstwhile caput coach Dean Shiels and will return complaint of nan club's European play-off semi-final connected Wednesday.

Limavady man Higgins, who played for Coleraine from 2015-16, near his domiciled arsenic Derry City head successful November pursuing nan Candystripes' FAI Cup last conclusion by Drogheda United.

The 40-year-old was antecedently adjunct head astatine Dundalk and a scout pinch nan Football Association of Ireland.

The Bannsiders will look either Crusaders aliases Irish Cup semi-finalists Dungannon Swifts successful nan play-off.

Shiels, on pinch adjunct Michael O'Connor, departed nan nine connected Wednesday after 1 play astatine nan Showgrounds.

He guided nan nine to a fifth-place decorativeness successful nan Irish Premiership arsenic nan nine transitioned into full-time football.

Sporting head Oran Kearney, who Shiels replaced arsenic manager, also near his domiciled connected Thursday.

Kearney had 2 spells successful complaint of nan Bannsiders either broadside of a one-season stint successful Scotland arsenic St Mirren manager.

During his spell successful complaint of Derry, he led them to occurrence successful nan 2022 FAI Cup final.

Higgins has confirmed that Conor Loughrey will subordinate his backroom team.

Speaking astir his appointment, Higgins said: "I'm honoured to beryllium taking connected this domiciled astatine a nine that intends a awesome woody to me. This is simply a nine pinch ambition, pinch passionate supporters, and a proud history.

"I'm excited to get started, to meet nan players and staff, and to build thing that brings occurrence connected nan transportation and pridefulness disconnected it. The contiguous attraction is nan play-offs — and we'll springiness everything to decorativeness nan play strongly.

"I'm besides delighted to beryllium bringing Conor Loughrey successful alongside me. He's personification I spot and worth highly — he'll adhd existent power and item to nan coaching team."

Executive Chairman and mostly shareholder Henry Ross commented: "We're excited to invited Ruaidhrí to Coleraine astatine a cardinal infinitesimal for nan club.

"This is an important assignment made pinch some nan short word and agelong word successful mind. Ruaidhrí has my afloat confidence, and we judge he's nan correct personification to lead america into this adjacent chapter."