Speculation is mounting that Jim McGuinness has become the front runner for the vacant Donegal manager’s job.
A report in today’s Irish Independent claims the Donegal County Board is keen to bring back the Glenties man who led Donegal to ALl-Ireland success in 2012.
A list of nine candidates have officially expressed an interest in the position.
However, it has not been made clear if McGuinness is one of those names.
The county board has already said Aidan O’Rourke’s successor does not have to come from that pool of nine candidates.
Among those tasked with choosing the new manager are former Donegal greats and 1992 All-Ireland winners Anthony Molloy and Martin McHugh.
Both are huge fans of the Glenties man and former Donegal midfielder.
McGuinness made it clear earlier this year that he had offered to get involved in some capacity with Donegal for the 2023 season before revealing that he was unexpectedly frozen out.
“I said I was available to do something with the team or help with the team. Rory (Kavanagh) and Karl (Lacey) were considering that situation, I was going to go along with them,” McGuinness said in March.
“Then when the Rory thing didn’t work out, they never came back to me. We never had another conversation. I had said to them I was happy and available. The door was closed in many respects on me.”
However, McGuinness may not have it all his own way.
The name of former Derry star Conleith Gilligan is also being linked to the vacant Donegal position.
Gilligan helped Ballinderry lift the All-Ireland senior club title and is highly regarded in coaching circles.