Northern Ireland bosses in demand as pair linked with lead roles in English game
St Mirren boss and former Northern Ireland midfielder Stephen Robinson has been linked with a move to Plymouth Argyle.
Robinson led Saints to yet another top-six finish in the 2024/25 season, narrowly missing out on Europe on the final day of the campaign.
Ipswich Town boss and Fermanagh man Kieran McKenna will be considered by Brentford if Thomas Frank leaves the club.
Frank is a frontrunner for the Tottenham job after the Europa League winners axed Ange Postecoglou.
Former Glentoran striker Andy Kirk, meanwhile, has left his role as assistant manager to Simo Valakari at St Johnstone.
Sheffield United and Swansea City are considering a move for Leyton Orient and Northern Ireland midfielder Ethan Galbraith.
In the Irish League, Larne have confirmed the departure of their centre-back Shaun Want.
The former Hamilton defender is returning to Scotland for family reasons.
Linfield and Dungannon Swifts will kick-off the 2025/26 season on Friday, July 4 after the Charity Shield date was confirmed by the NI Football League.
The annual curtain-raiser, which sees the Premiership champions face the winners of the Irish Cup, will be played at Windsor Park with a 7:45pm kick-off.
Tickets for the game will be priced at £10 with all profits going to Action Mental Health, NIFL's official charity partner, and can be purchased from the Linfield official website.
Glentoran midfielder Josh Kelly has signed a new contract, extending his stay at the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Glens boss Declan Devine stated: 'Josh was outstanding in pre-season ahead of last season, showing incredible attitude and determination to earn his place in the starting XI.
'His performances in the opening three games, playing at right-back, were exceptional and his injury was a huge blow, not just for him personally but for the entire squad.
'Football can be cruel, but Josh has never let his head drop. His work ethic throughout his rehabilitation has been outstanding.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
31 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea submit bid to sign Gittens, Liverpool make £113m Wirtz offer, Inter inquire about Hojlund
Tottenham released a lengthy statement explaining their decision to dismiss manager Ange Postecoglou: FOLLOWING a review of performances and after significant reflection, the Club can announce that Ange Postecoglou has been relieved of his duties. Ange joined us from Celtic in the summer of 2023 and oversaw a period of change on the pitch, returning us to the attacking brand of football that has traditionally been associated with the Club, while writing a new chapter in our history by leading us to UEFA Europa League glory in Bilbao last month - an achievement that will live with us all forever. We are extremely grateful to Ange for his commitment and contribution during his two years at the Club. Ange will always be remembered as only the third manager in our history to deliver a European trophy, alongside legendary figures Bill Nicholson and Keith Burkinshaw. However, the Board has unanimously concluded that it is in the best interests of the Club for a change to take place. Following a positive start in the 2023/24 Premier League (PL) season, we recorded 78 points from the last 66 PL games. This culminated in our worst-ever PL finish last season. At times there were extenuating circumstances - injuries and then a decision to prioritise our European campaign. Whilst winning the Europa League this season ranks as one of the Club's greatest moments, we cannot base our decision on emotions aligned to this triumph. It is crucial that we are able to compete on multiple fronts and believe a change of approach will give us the strongest chance for the coming season and beyond. This has been one of the toughest decisions we have had to make and is not a decision that we have taken lightly, nor one we have rushed to conclude. We have made what we believe is the right decision to give us the best chance of success going forward, not the easy decision. We have a talented, young squad and Ange has given us a great platform to build upon. We should like to express our gratitude to him. We wish him well for the future - he will always be welcome back at our home. News on the appointment of a new Head Coach will be announced in due course.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Ex-Liverpool star Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain 'offered' surprise Championship deal
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has spent two seasons playing for Besiktas, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be about to end his spell in Turkey, with Leicester interested in his services Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is being eyed by Leicester after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made it clear that Besiktas want to sell him this summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain has just finished his second season with Besiktas and it seems he could be approaching the end of his time in Istanbul. The former Arsenal midfielder arrived in Turkey in the summer of 2023 after leaving Liverpool on a free transfer. He has endured a rollercoaster time with Besiktas, playing under nine different managers during his two years. It initially appeared as though he would leave the club last summer, just one year into his three-year contract, after being frozen out by Giovanni van Bronckhorst. But he rode out Van Bronckhorst's short-lived spell in charge and ended up becoming more involved once ex-Manchester United boss Solskjaer arrived. The 31-year-old, who is engaged to singer Perrie Edwards, ended up making 20 appearances in all competitions, although he was ineligible to play in the Europa League, having been omitted from the squad. He appeared to blossom under Solskjaer's management, but his wages have presented an issue. According to reports in Turkey, Bestikas are keen to get his £2.2million annual salary off their wage bill and Leicester have approached the club about signing Oxlade-Chamberlain. The Foxes have been relegated to the Championship and are rebuilding after sacking Ruud van Nistelrooy and releasing a group of players. Oxlade-Chamberlain has won the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup with Liverpool, three FA Cups with Arsenal and has claimed the Turkish Cup and Turkish Super Cup with Bestikas, despite his struggles there. Nevertheless, it seems he is searching for regular game time at this stage of his career, having previously struggled with injuries and with rotation. Speaking to The Athletic in October 2023, he said: 'Whatever your career path is, it's about what keeps you motivated. For some people, it could be money. For others, it's winning. Others might just want to score goals. Whatever it is, you want those needs to be met. That's what gives you the will to keep going. 'I just want to play. I need to play, to take this opportunity and see what I can still achieve while my legs are still moving.' Solskjaer will have to take a pragmatic approach with Besiktas due to their situation. "Everyone knows you need time to shape a team into what you want it to look like. But you have to manage it the best you can, not as you wish it was,' Solskjaer told BBC Sport last month. 'There are things I want my team to do that this one can't. We have come into a difficult financial period because in the past the club has spent money, maybe not so wisely." He added: "Look, recruitment is probably the most important thing in football. You need the structures right and you need to get the right people in. "When you manage two, three, four or five different managers' players, it is hard to make it balance into a team you want to see. Everyone knows you need continuity and patience to get success, but not too many get it." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
James Maddison pays emotional tribute to Ange Postecoglou after Tottenham exit
Tottenham have sacked manager Ange Postecoglou just 16 days after winning the Europa League and James Maddison has shared a tribute to the Australian on social media James Maddison has paid a touching tribute to Ange Postecoglou after he was sacked as Tottenham manager, despite winning the Europa League. Postecoglou spent two seasons in charge of Spurs, guiding them to a fifth placed finish in his first Premier League campaign. However, their league form was awful last season as Tottenham finished just one place above the relegation zone and suffered 22 defeats. They did beat Manchester United in the Europa League final, though, to win their first piece of silverware since 2008 and qualify for next season's Champions League. Despite that victory, Spurs decided to axe Postecoglou and are now looking for a new manager. The likes of Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola are among the candidates who could replace him. It remains to be seen who ultimately becomes Spurs' next manager, but a number of players have penned emotional farewell messages to Postecoglou. Maddison, who was one of Postecoglou's first signings at the club, wrote on social media: "Gaffer, where to start. Firstly, thank you for bringing me to this wonderful club that I now call my home. "Your instant belief in me to not only sign me but make me the clubs vice captain & part of the leadership group from the get go is something I'll always be thankful for. "Secondly for the Europa league campaign that started in our stadium on gameweek one and finished perfectly with that special night in Bilbao. You led us to victory and we're European champions and in this clubs history books because of you and your winning mentality. "Lastly and most importantly is how you are as a man and a person. Your unwavering self belief and strong mindset is infectious and a massive reason in why you were the man to end this clubs 17 year drought for a trophy. "A family man with great morales & I have honestly learnt so much from you. More than you will probably ever know. All the very best. Madders". Club captain Son Heung-min also shared a similar message on social media, branding Postecoglou a "Tottenham Hotspur legend forever". He wrote: "Gaffer. You've changed the trajectory of this club. "You believed in yourself, and us, since day one and never wavered for a second. Even when others did. You knew what we were capable of all along. You did it your way. And your way brought this club the best night it's had in decades. We will have those memories for life. "You trusted me with the captaincy. One of the highest honours of my career. It's been an incredible privilege to learn from your leadership up close, I am a better player and a better person because of you. Ange Postecoglou, you are a Tottenham Hotspur legend forever. Thank you, mate." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
