After Declan Bonner resigned as manager of Donegal, there has been a host of names linked with the job. It was a disappointing campaign for Donegal who were beaten by Derry in the Ulster GAA SFC final and knocked out by Armagh in the second round of the qualifiers.
Former Donegal footballer and All-Ireland winner Mark McHugh has given his thoughts on who should replace Bonner as manager and has selected one of his former teammates and manager to return to the Donegal set up.
McHugh has said it would be a "dream" for Jim McGuinness to return to management alongside Karl Lacey.
Lacey and McHugh won the 2012 All-Ireland SFC under the guidance of Jim McGuinness, with Lacey being named Footballer of the Year for his performances that season.
Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle, Mark McHugh said:
"The dream ticket, everyone speaks about McGuinness coming back.
"Karl Lacey's been a big player in the coaching scene in Donegal this last number of years. If you're asking me for a dream ticket, maybe Lacey and McGuinness together.
"Will it happen? I don't know. I don't know the thoughts of them, I don't know what goes on in their minds or have they been speaking."
26 August 2012; Donegal manager Jim McGuinness and Karl Lacey celebrate victory over Cork. GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Semi-Final, Cork v Donegal, Croke Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Tomas Greally / SPORTSFILE
Donegal GAA: Lacey and McGuinness in recent years
Since stepping down as Donegal manager in 2014 after their defeat to Kerry in the All-Ireland final, Jim McGuinness has gone on to coach soccer in the USA and China and was also a performance consultant with Celtic. He currently offers brilliant punditry on Sky Sports.
McGuinness was linked with a role with the Down footballers last year but turned down the approach saying he was "very much focused on soccer".
Karl Lacey was involved on Declan Bonner's management team until 2021 when he stepped down due to work and family commitments.
2 February 2019; Donegal manager Declan Bonner and selector Karl Lacey, right, during the Allianz Football League Division 2 Round 2 match between Donegal and Meath at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, Donegal. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Donegal GAA is without a doubt in need for a lift and have not won championship silverware since 2019. Should McGuinness and Lacey return to the set up, it will likely give the whole county an enormous boost.
SEE ALSO: Pádraic Joyce Rages Over 'Crucial' Late Free Given To Kerry
