Jim McGuinness: Donegal's 2012 All-Ireland winning boss appointed manager for second time
- Published
Jim McGuinness guided Donegal to the Sam Maguire Cup in 2012
Jim McGuinness has been appointed as manager of Donegal's senior football team for a second time.
The county announced his return, which is on a three-year term with an option of a fourth, on Monday night.
Neil McGee and McGuinness' brother-in-law Colm McFadden, who was both part of his All-Ireland winning team in 2012, have been named in his backroom team.
McGee and McFadden, who had been Sligo's forwards coach, will be joined in the backroom team by Luke Barrett.
Barrett has been Donegal minor manager for the past four seasons.
McGuinness was part of the Rory Kavanagh, Karl Lacey managerial ticket last year, but the job was eventually given to Paddy Carr, who stepped down in March, following less than five months in charge.
McGuinness led Donegal to the county's second All-Ireland SFC title in 2012.
Colm McFadden and Neil McGee will be part of McGuinness' backroom team
"Donegal GAA is delighted to announced the appointment of Jim McGuinness as senior football team manager, following a meeting of Donegal county committee," Donegal GAA said.
"This is an exciting time for all GAA supporters and Donegal people at home and abroad."
The statement went on to wish McGuinness, his players and backroom team "every success for the future" while confirming the length of his term.
Donegal have been seeking a new boss since interim manager Aidan O'Rourke stepped down in late June following a turbulent 12 months for the county.
It is understood McGuinness met with Donegal GAA officials three weeks ago and was their number one target to manage the county's football team.
McGuinness previously appointed in late 2010
He was previously appointed to the job in late 2010 when Donegal football was at a low ebb after a comprehensive All-Ireland qualifier defeat by Armagh.
A year later, Donegal won the Ulster title by beating Derry in the provincial final and while they were beaten by eventual champions Dublin in a turgid All-Ireland semi-final, the Tir Conaill men secured an emotional Sam Maguire Cup triumph a year later after beating Mayo in the decider following their retention of the Anglo-Celt Cup.
After putting his tactical imprint on the game by devising a playing system which did not please everyone, McGuinness stepped down as Donegal boss following their All-Ireland Final defeat by Kerry in 2014.
By that stage, he had already moved into a soccer coaching post with Celtic during Neil Lennon's first spell in charge of the Glasgow club.
After ending his performance consultant role at Celtic, the Donegal man became assistant coach at Chinese Super League club Beijing Guoan in 2017 but stepped down six months later, citing "personal family reasons".
McGuinness was appointed manager of second-tier US football club Charlotte Independence on a three-year contract in December 2018 but was sacked from the role within six months after his team's run of only one win in 14 games.
Jim McGuinness had brief soccer coaching roles in China and the USA between 2017 and 2019 before returning to Ireland
Since returning to Ireland, he has had a soccer coaching role with Derry City's under-19 team in addition to dipping back into the GAA by taking occasional training sessions with inter-county teams along with regular media punditry work.
McGuinness' task will be restoring the fortunes of a county which endured something of an Annus Horribilis in 2023.
Declan Bonner stepped down as Donegal manager 13 months ago after the county's extra-time defeat by Derry in the Ulster Final was followed by an All-Ireland qualifier hammering at the hands of Armagh.
A long search for a successor to Bonner eventually ended with Carr's appointment in late October but despite an opening Division One win over Kerry, Donegal's form dipped alarmingly and the Fanad native stepped down in March, following a meeting with a number of senior players, when relegation was already virtually assured.
Carr's assistant Aidan O'Rourke was coaxed to take on the role on an interim basis but Donegal continued to struggle as they were beaten by Division Three Down in the Ulster Championship before they regrouped to make the final 12 of the All-Ireland Championship following wins over Clare and eventual semi-finalists Monaghan.
However, O'Rourke stepped down himself immediately after the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat by Tyrone on 24 June and predictably it didn't take very long for McGuinness' name to be linked with the job.