IT COULD BE JIM.. OR HIM OR HIM

Derry start search for new boss after Shiels sacking

JIM MAGILTON could be a surprise contender to succeed Kenny Shiels as Derry City boss.

And ex-candystripes manager Declan Devine and Northern Ireland U21 gaffer Ian Baraclough are also strongly linked.

Shiels was sacked on Saturday in the wake of Friday’s crushing 5-0 defeat – their 20th of the season – away to St Patrick’s Athletic on the final day of the League of Ireland campaign.

Speculation raged last week it would be the ex-kilmarnock boss’ last game in charge after a miserable slide in the second half of the season.

And yet Shiels was defiant in the immediate aftermath of the Saints defeat, insisting he would still be Candystripes boss next season. Claiming he turned down three jobs to stay with Derry, Shiels was adamant he had the backing of chairman Philip O’doherty.

But less than 24 hours later, Shiels’, inset, three-year term at the Brandywell was terminated by O’doherty having lost the dressing room.

In a statement,

O’doherty said: “We acknowledge Kenny’s contribution to the football club over the past three seasons, one of which was particularly difficult.

“We wish Kenny the best for the future. The club will make no further comment on the issue.”

Mirror Sport understands ex-ipswich Town and QPR boss Magilton – who won 52 caps for Northern Ireland – will be among those considered for the vacancy.

He is the IFA’S elite develop-wonders ment director and his last managerial job was as Northern Ireland U21 boss, before Baraclough succeeded him last year. Before that, Magilton, 49, had a brief spell in change of Australian club Melbourne Victory in 2012 and he was Michael O’neill’s assistant at Shamrock Rovers in 2011. Devine’s return to the hotseat would be popular among fans having guided Derry to FAI Cup success in 2012 before parting with the club after the 2013 season.

He is an elite development coach with the IFA and is preparing his young squad for the four-nation Victory Shield U16 schoolboy competition in Kerry in a fortnight.

Baraclough has been working with Northern Ireland’s U21s and masterminded a famous 2-1 win in Spain last month.

He managed Sligo Rovers to their League of Ireland title success in 2013 and then had spells as Motherwell boss and Oldham assistant.

Despite guiding Northern Ireland to second place in their qualifying group for the U19 Euro finals next year, it wasn’t enough to seal a play-off as one of the four best runners-up.

The next Derry City boss will have to reshape the squad with a number of high profile players departing over the weekend.

Gavin Peers, Nicky Low and Ronan Hale have already left and others will follow, although veteran goalkeeper Gerard Doherty looks set to stay now that Shiels has left.