Glentoran have agreed a departure with manager Declan Devine as the club responds to a difficult start to the Irish Premiership campaign. The decision was confirmed on Monday, leaving the East Belfast side winless in their last three league matches and positioned eighth in the standings with just seven points from six games.
Devine’s final match in charge ended in a 1-1 draw against Bangor at the Oval on Saturday, a performance that drew loud boos from home supporters at the full-time whistle.
The former Glentoran goalkeeper initially took charge on an interim basis in March 2024 following the dismissal of Warren Feeney. He was subsequently appointed permanent manager and led the 23-time league champions to the County Antrim Shield in the 2024-25 season, securing the club’s first trophy in five years.
Despite significant investment in the squad, Devine was unable to steer Glentoran higher than third place. The club suffered defeat in consecutive BetMcLean Cup finals, falling to Cliftonville in 2025 and Linfield in 2026.
Glentoran owner Ali Pour had warned on Saturday that the pressure was mounting on Devine to deliver results this season. Pour highlighted that the manager had been given the largest budget in the league and had personally selected the playing roster.
Pour was present for Saturday’s draw, where fan dissatisfaction was evident. The current struggles follow a disappointing end to the previous season, where Glentoran missed out on the title after drawing 0-0 with eventual champions Larne and suffering a heavy 6-2 defeat to Coleraine on the final day.
Early in the current campaign, the club was eliminated from European competition by RFS and has suffered losses to rivals Linfield, Crusaders, and Larne. The summer departure of midfielder Cammy Palmer has been a notable loss, while injuries have also impacted the squad’s availability.
Glentoran will face Coleraine on Tuesday as they begin their search for a new manager for the fourth time since January 2023. Devine’s assistant, Tim McCann, stated on Saturday that the players must take greater accountability for what he described as unacceptable performances.
Cammy Palmer leaving really hurt their midfield. Hard to compete at the top with key players gone mid-season.
I was surprised by the speed of the sacking. You’d think they would wait until after the Coleraine match on Tuesday.
Wait, this is the fourth managerial change since early 2023? The club needs stability, not another quick fix.
Interesting that the owner hired him and picked the squad, yet the players are being told to take accountability? Confusing message.
Boos at the final whistle say it all. The fans knew he was finished before the announcement came out.