Brian McIver is appointed as the new Derry football boss

Brian McIver has been appointed as the new Derry football manager.

McIver's expected appointment was confirmed following a meeting of the Derry county board on Thursday night.

Former Derry manager Paddy Crozier will be assistant boss with Paddy Tally and Anton Moran both trainer/selectors and Bernie Henry also a selector.

McIver led Donegal to the 2007 league title and both he and Tally were part of the Down backroom team when they reached the 2010 All-Ireland final.

Liam Bradley and Cathal Corey were also interviewed for the Derry job earlier this week but McIver remained the strong favourite to land the role.

Bradley stood down from the Antrim senior job two weeks ago after a largely successful four years in charge.

The Glenullin man was immediately linked with the Derry position but the county's selection committee instead plumped for Tyrone native McIver.

McIver is regarded as an exceptional man manager and his management team is laden with experience.

Tally was physical trainer for the Tyrone team which landed the county's first All-Ireland senior title in 2003 while Crozier guided Derry to the National League title in 2008 during his stint in charge of the Oak Leafers.

McIver takes the Derry job after John Brennan's unsuccessful two years at the helm.

Derry county chairman John Keenan spoke of his "delight" at McIver's appointment.

"I firmly believe that Brian McIver will bring Derry back to the top table of football and into a position where we are competing for silverware," added the Derry chairman.

"Brian along with his team have shown a clear strategy, professional and vision for Derry football at underage, minor, U21 and senior level for the future."

Keenan added that both he and the new management team are convinced that there is sufficient talent within the county for Derry to challenge for major honours.

"Brian, Paddy Tally and Paddy Crozier would be wasting their time if they didn't believe that the talent was there."

Keenan also spoke of his belief that McIver's work in Donegal had "laid foundations" for the county's current success under Jim McGuinness.