Jim McGuiness has been appointed as the Donegal senior football manager for a second term following a special county committee meeting of the Donegal County Board on Monday evening.
The appointment of the Glenties man comes after a disastrous year for Donegal that manager Paddy Carr walk away before the League was over.
McGuinness has tonight committed to a three-year term with the option of a fourth year
Breaking - Jim's Back.
Jim McGuinness appointed Donegal Senior Manager at this evening's Special County Committee Meeting pic.twitter.com/URz5NzLXx1— Highland Radio News (@HighlandNews) August 21, 2023
READ ALSO: Derry And Monaghan Dominate Minor Football Team Of The Year
McGuinness's last stint with Donegal and in fact in intercounty football brought unprecedented success to the northwest as Donegal stormed to the 2012 Sam Maguire title, before flying through the 2014 season where they handed Dublin their only Championship loss between 2013 and 2021, only to capitulate when they met Kerry in the All-Ireland final.
31 August 2014; Donegal manager Jim McGuinness celebrates at the end of the game. GAA Football All Ireland Senior Championship, Semi-Final, Dublin v Donegal, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Jim McGuinness appointed Donegal manager for three year term
Despite being absent from the intercounty scene since that infamous 2014 All-Ireland final, the Donegal county board confirmed his appointment to the Donegal hotseat after moving their usual meeting up by a fortnight to discuss the appointment.
While Gaelic football has changed somewhat since McGuinness last took charge of an inter-county game, he is arguably the only man that could come back into the role with more experience than when he left.
In the intervening nine years since his departure from Donegal, McGuinness spent over five years working for Celtic, became the assistant coach of Beijing Guoan and managed Charlotte Independence.
Despite having limited success outside of his roles in Celtic, McGuinness still earned both his UEFA B Licence and his UEFA Pro license. Regardless of the differences in the sports, McGuinness will be the first GAA manager to hold the coveted UEFA Pro license.
A professional advantage that could serve the chaos in Donegal this season well as they look to make their way back to the pinnacle of Gaelic Football.
SEE ALSO: Derry And Monaghan Dominate Minor Football Team Of The Year
