When any manager takes the decision to leave their post it is sure to spark reaction and debate. When Jim McGuinness leaves his post (at 11.45 on a Friday night no less) it is cause for much more than just mere reaction.
To be as divisive as McGuinness has been yet maintain the respect of some of your most ardent detractors takes a kind of personality that very few possess. Not everyone has agreed with the style of football which he has developed and perfected in his four years in charge of Donegal but you will find very few who could argue that Donegal could have been anywhere near as successful without the system which McGuinness introduced.
The reaction to the news has mirrored the reaction to McGuinness's tenure in charge. Unshaken respect and gratitude from his players has been met with an altogether different kind of respect from neutrals and those in the media. What can be said for certain is that he is unlikely to be forgotten anytime soon.
Goodbye Jim, cannot begin to express the gratitude I owe this man. A tough but an unbelievable 4 years. #thankyou pic.twitter.com/W14rbGvqLw
— Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) October 4, 2014
I like a quote from five years ago about us "....god almighty wouldn't win anything with this group of players" Jim thought otherwise
— Eamon Mc Gee (@EamonMcGee) October 4, 2014
What I owe Jim McGunniess is unthinkable! What he has given to Donegal is huge! Best days of my life. #ThankYouJim pic.twitter.com/29ga7rTipQ
— Mark McHugh (@MarkMcHugh1) October 4, 2014
Jim McGuinness's greatest legacy is the pride he has instilled in this county. What he has done goes way beyond winning matches.
— Chris McNulty (@chrismcnulty86) October 4, 2014
The legacy of Jim McGuinness isn't just the wonderful achievements of his team - it's that he had #Donegal people feel on top of the world
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) October 4, 2014
Jim McGuinness is meticulous in his planning to the end. He announces he is stepping down as the entire #GAA media is upstairs in Coppers
— Kieran McSweeney (@McSweeneyKieran) October 3, 2014
Jim McGuinness gone as @officialdonegal manager. Can't say he doesn't leave a legacy @rtegaa #rtegaa #rtesport pic.twitter.com/6cymG4nRkq
— Damien O'Meara (@damien_omeara) October 3, 2014
Jim McGuinness steps down. GAA reporters will miss his quotes. Not sure anyone outside Donegal will miss how his team played.
— Owen Cowzer (@OCowzer) October 4, 2014
