Glentoran have identified Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton as their preferred candidate to replace Declan Devine. Devine left the Oval club on Monday after two years in charge following a poor start to the season. Assistant managers Paddy Mc Court and Tim Mc Cann oversaw Tuesday night's home defeat by Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine.

Magilton has emerged at the front-runner with the Glens making a formal approach to speak with the Cliftonville boss, with the clubs set to meet in an Irish Premiership fixture at Solitude on Saturday. The 57-year-old former Northern Ireland international was appointed Cliftonville boss in 2023, succeeding Paddy Mc Laughlin, and led the club to Irish Cup glory the following year, ending a 45-year wait for the trophy. Magilton, who previously worked at Ipswich Town, the Irish FA, Dundalk and Melbourne Victory, also led the Reds to the 2025 Bet Mc Lean Cup, beating Glentoran in the final, but lost to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup decider two months later.