Mickey Harte, Tyrone football's Mr Big since late 2002, has been denied a sought after contract extension by the county board.
Late last year, Harte was offered a two year extension to his managerial reign carrying him through to the end of the 2017 season.
Harte wanted to add another onto that, ensuring he remained in place until after the 2018 season.
Somewhat surprisingly, the county board denied that request.
Tyrone have turned down Mickey Harte's request for a one-year extension to his management term though he has one more year as it stands.
— Jerome Quinn (@JeromeQuinn) September 6, 2016
Tyrone County Board must be forgetting before Mickey Harte became manager we had never won an All-Ireland at senior level. #twomoreyears
— Gary (@Liverpoolzuton) September 6, 2016
Mickey Harte's lifelong ambition of one day managing the mighty Mournemen is still alive. https://t.co/4l5Y9Z1HhI
— Ryan Forrest (@forrest_ryan90) September 6, 2016
The decision is a bit of jolt. Harte has been there so long and been so successful that most might have presumed this would just be a rubber-stamp operation. Few might have imagined they'd refuse the request.
Harte guided Tyrone to their first Ulster title in six seasons this year, slaying the Donegal beast amid joyous scenes in Clones.
However, following the defeat to Mayo, there was still a sense that Tyrone exited the 2016 championship before their time.
It feels like a long time ago now, but many were prophesying a final meeting with Dublin.
With some of the old guard pondering retirment - step forward Mr. Sean Cavanagh - and a host of young players coming on stream, is it possible the Tyrone Co. Board are thinking about moving forward with a new manager. Perhaps, the All-Ireland winning U21 boss Fergal Logan?
Read more: 5 Potential Candidates For The Kerry Managers Job In The Future
