Derry City: Candystripes appoint Declan Devine as new manager at the Brandywell
- Published
Devine lost the Derry job in October 2013 despite guiding the club to European football in both his seasons in charge
Declan Devine is back for a second spell as Derry City boss after he was announced as the successor to Kenny Shiels at the Brandywell.
Devine has signed a two-year contract, with Kevin Deery and Marty McCann joining the backroom staff.
Former Northern Ireland international Paddy McCourt, currently director of the club's academy, will also feed into the management team.
Shiels was sacked after the conclusion of a disappointing season last month.
"I'm delighted and honoured to be appointed," said Derry native Devine, who had been working as a youth coach in the elite performance Club NI scheme.
"I was in a very happy place in my job and working with very talented players but when Derry City offer you the manager's job, you certainly don't turn it down.
"But there's no big celebration here tonight. We know as a backroom team that we have to work hard and hit the ground running.
"There are very few players at the club and there is a feeling of negativity, but we are here to do a job and are determined to do it well."
Devine was first appointed to the Derry role in January 2012 and guided them to the FAI Cup in his first season in charge.
Shiels won the League Cup in his final season at the Brandywell
But he was sacked at the end of the following campaign despite clinching another European spot.
Devine also led the Candystripes to a Setanta Sports Cup final place in 2012 and many felt his departure from the Brandywell role was a harsh decision.
After Shiels' departure on 27 October following his team's 5-0 league hammering by St Patrick's Athletic, Derry posted a statement on the club's website seeking applications for the post.
Several names had been linked with the vacancy but the club have decided that Devine is the right man to undertake the rebuilding job which seems necessary at the Brandywell.
A dismal run of 17 defeats in their final 23 league games saw the Candystripes tumbling down the table to finish eighth in the 10-team Premier Division.
Several players have left the club since the end of the campaign, including the Hale brothers Rory and Ronan, Nicky Low and Ben Fisk.
Rory Hale has signed for Crusaders while Ronan is returning to Birmingham following the completion of his loan spell at the Brandywell.