Ipswich Town legend Jim Magilton has been named boss of Cliftonville Football Club, becoming the first full-time manager of Ireland's oldest club.
The 54-year-old, who led Town to promotion to the Premier League as a player in 2000 before going on to manage the club, takes over a side who finished fourth in the Northern Ireland Premiership last campaign.
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Magilton said: It’s an honour to be appointed manager of a great club with such proud traditions.
“I’m very excited about the job and really looking forward to working with such a talented squad of players.
“I’ve been very busy already and there are conversations to be had with players at the club, plus some we will be looking to bring in.
"There’s a very tight turnaround between now and the start of the new season but I’m experienced enough to deal with that and the work has already started to make sure we’re in the best possible shape.
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"It’s such a competitive league and I want our fans to enjoy the brand of football that we will play.
"I want them to be proud of their team and I want them to play a role in helping us be successful.
"I may be new to the place but one thing I do know about the club is that a united Cliftonville is a strong Cliftonville, so having the manager, players, fans and everyone else behind the scenes all united and all pulling in the same direction from top to bottom can make us a real force in this league.”
Cliftonville chairman Paul McKeown added: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Jim Magilton and I look forward to working with him.
"Jim and the coaching staff will get to work immediately to look to strengthen the squad.
"Having played in the English Premier League, made more than 50 international appearances for Northern Ireland and managed Ipswich Town, QPR and others, it’s clear that Jim fits the bill of what we were looking for in terms of a candidate with a background in the full-time game at the highest level.
“He was the club’s top target for the position and we’re very pleased to have made this appointment.
"As everyone involved in football knows, the close season passes in the blink of an eye and Jim is already working hard in the countdown to the new campaign, which will be here before we know it.
“While last season tailed off disappointingly, I believe we have the right team in place to take the club forward and give our fans the success that we all crave.”
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