Rodney McAree appointed manager

COLERAINE FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Rodney McAree as the club’s new manager…

The 44-year-old joins the Bannsiders on a full-time basis after penning a two-and-a-half-year deal at The Showgrounds.

McAree spent his playing career at Liverpool and Bristol City before becoming a cult-hero at Fulham after helping the club achieve promotion with a last minute goal against Carlisle United. On returning back to Northern Ireland, McAree would have a spell with Glenavon but finished his career with his hometown club Dungannon Swifts and captained the side to the top flight of Irish League football.

After being appointed to the backroom staff at Stangmore Park, McAree was installed as Dungannon’s Head Coach in October 2015 and he guided the Swifts to their first major trophy last season as they defeated Ballymena United in the League Cup. McAree was also the catalyst in the development of Irish League stars such as Andy Mitchell, Jamie Glackin, Jarlath O’Rourke, amongst others.

Speaking to colerainefc.com, Chairman Colin McKendry was delighted to obtain McAree’s services following the departure of Oran Kearney to St. Mirren.

“As a club we are delighted to announce Rodney has agreed to become our new manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

“He was our first choice and we see him as the perfect fit for our club. He is a winner as he has shown throughout his footballing career as a player and latterly at Dungannon Swifts as a manager.

“Coleraine FC see Rodney as the man to take us forward into the next stage of our development on and off the pitch.

“His development of youth players was one of the factors in us looking to secure his services as we have a thriving Academy which has proved successful in player development and we know under Rodney’s oversight it will develop even further.”

The Club can confirm that Trevor McKendry, William Murphy and Paul Owens will be in charge of team affairs for tomorrow’s fixture against Ards.

Supporters can hear from their new manager at 5:30pm this evening as the Club will be streaming a press conference on their official Facebook account.