Paddy McCourt back at the Brandywell pictured with manager Kenny Shiels and border director Denis Bradley
As Derry Daily reported last Friday, McCourt is leaving the Candy Stripes North West rivals Finn Harps to return to the Brandywell and take over the reins at the club’s youth academy.
In a statement today, Derry City FC said: “The Board of Directors have been working alongside Manager, Kenny Shiels, to identify ways of enhancing and re-structuring the support network for City’s underage squads and see Paddy as the perfect fit for those plans.
“His experience, profile and ambition are exactly what the club feels is required to get the best out of the potential pool of talent both in this city and beyond.
“The new role will mean Paddy will oversee the progress of the under-13’s, under-15’s, under-17’s and under-19’s.
“Each of those age groups will be appointed a coach and a Manager, all of whom will report into the new Head of the Academy.”
Paddy says he is excited at the prospect of this new role and is looking forward to getting started in September.
“I’m really happy to be coming back to Derry City and in particular to have the opportunity to oversee this new development programme,” he said.
“The club has identified an area where they feel more work is needed to secure the future of the younger players as they come through the ranks and it is a challenge I am relishing
“It looks like there will be plenty of work ahead so I have notified Finn Harps that I will be retiring when my current contract is up to concentrate fully on this role.”
City spokesman Sean Barrett added that the club was sure they have got the right man.
“We are delighted to be bringing someone of Paddy McCourt’s stature into this role.
“He is a local guy who has graced football’s biggest stages and he will hopefully inspire our young boys and girls to reach for the heights that he has.”
The new role is set to start with effect from mid- September.
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