Who will replace Declan Devine as Glentoran manager?

Glentoran are on the hunt for a new manager just six games into the Irish Premiership campaign after Declan Devine's departure from the east Belfast club. Devine's two-and-a-half-year tenure came to an end after a difficult start to the season, leaving the Glens searching for a successor capable of quickly steadying the ship. The 54-year-old did deliver silverware during his time at the Oval, guiding Glentoran to County Antrim Shield success in the 2024-25 season, but he failed to end the 17-year wait for league success during his tenure. But who will replace him? BBC Sport NI takes a look at some of the possible contenders to take over at the Glens. Devine leaves Glentoran after two and a half years Tiernan Lynch From the outset, former Larne and Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch was quickly installed by many as the favourite to replace Devine. Lynch won consecutive Irish Premiership titles as Inver Reds boss and helped them become the first Northern Irish team to reach the league stage of the Uefa Conference League during his time at the club. However, he failed to deliver similar success when at the helm of Derry City and left his position in August after less than two years in charge. The 50-year-old is no stranger to the Irish League and also has experience within the club after his time as assistant manager between 2012 and 2016, so it is no surprise that he is being heavily linked with the position. With two Premiership titles to his name, Lynch would bring proven league-winning credentials to a club whose supporters are desperate to see the Gibson Cup return to the Oval for the first time since 2009. Rodney McAree Rodney McAree has already proven that he is more than capable of managing Glentoran. During his short spell, he secured European football after leading the east Belfast club to victory in the Europa Conference League play-off following a third-place finish in the 2022-23 table. McAree resigned as Glentoran manager after just five months to move closer to home and became manager of Dungannon Swifts. During his time at his hometown club, the side have overachieved and lifted the Irish Cup for the first time ever two seasons ago. McAree is well respected and has proven his ability to secure silverware, so his return to the Oval should not be completely dismissed. Jim Magilton Another manager with plenty of Irish League experience is Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton. Magilton has led the north Belfast side to Irish Cup and League Cup success since he joined in 2023, beating the Glens in the final of the latter in 2025. The 57-year-old is known for quickly adapting to changing situations and has consistently built a strong team at the Reds despite a high turnover of players. It is unclear what decision will be made managerially if the Toronto Investment Group's takeover of Cliftonville is completed as hoped. However, the former Ipswich player may not be on the lookout to switch clubs at the minute with much excitement around what lies ahead in the north Belfast side if the takeover goes to plan. Gary Hamilton Gary Hamilton has been linked with most Irish Premiership vacancies since he left his role at Glenavon in 2023. Hamilton made 132 appearances and scored 70 goals for the east Belfast side and is already well respected at the club. The 45-year-old has always had an eye for bringing in and developing younger talent, a skill which would benefit the Glens. During his almost 12-year spell at the Lurgan Blues, he won the Irish Cup twice in 2014 and 2016, registered four third-place finishes and European football. Hamilton currently manages Conference League side Ballymacash Rangers, who have won the Steel and Sons for the first time during his tenure. A manager such as Hamilton, who has secured plenty of silverware during his career, will certainly tick a lot of the boxes that Glentoran would be hoping for in a new manager. Tim McCann There are few people who know Glentoran better than Tim McCann. During his playing career, he won 14 winners medals during eight seasons at the Glens, which included three league triumphs and three Irish Cups. He returned to the Oval in a coaching capacity and was a first team coach under Rodney McAree before he joined Devine's staff in May 2024. McCann can often be seen passing on instructions to the players during matches and has an understanding already of the issues facing the team. The first team coach gave an honest assessment following their frustrating draw against Bangor and said performances were "totally, totally unacceptable" and called for the players to "take accountability because they're getting well paid to play football". Whether this all makes him a serious contender for the permanent role remains to be seen, but his long association with the club means he is unlikely to be completely overlooked. Mick McDermott The Glens have already had the return of the Mack this summer, but will the return of the Mick follow? McDermott's return may be a left field choice following a rollercoaster spell last time. Glentoran did win the Irish Cup in 2020 during his tenure, but tensions had started to boil over before he was eventually replaced by assistant manager McAree in January 2023. The Belfast native is currently assistant coach at Ghana and was part of the staff during the recent World Cup. This option may split opinion amongst Glentoran fans, but you can never rule out a shock return of McDermott. As always, there will be other names that will emerge as contenders from outside the Irish Premiership over the next few days but it is clear that the side must find a long-term fit for the club as soon as they can to try and get their season back on track. What is going wrong at Glentoran this season?