Former Man United defender applies for Derry City job

Amazingly, the Lurgan man becomes the second former ‘Red Devil’ to declare an interest in the job which the Brandywell club insist isn’t vacant, following Andrei Kanchelskis’ shock application last week.

Sources close to the club claim McGibbon, who was signed from Portadown in 1992 and progressed through the United ranks alongside David Beckham, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers and played one game for the first team squad, has made approaches this week in relation to the Brandywell hotseat.

McGibbon has also been linked with the vacant Glentoran manager’s position which, of course, was one of his former clubs during his successful playing career in the Irish League.

The news will no doubt be slightly disconcerting for Derry caretaker boss, Paul Hegarty, who has made no secret of his desire to continue holding the reins on a permanent basis. And the Co. Donegal man is considered a front-runner for the post given the way he has turned around Derry’s fortunes in recent weeks.

Hegarty has guided Derry City to Premier Division safety and has done so in good style, winning three out of his four games in charge!

With a significant number of the club’s first team squad out of contract in two week’s time, the club will surely be keen to get a permanent manager in place as soon as possible.

However, it’s understood the Board of Directors have yet to open talks with Hegarty in relation to taking charge next season.

While the Derry City manager’s job has yet to be advertised, it’s understood there has been a significant number of applicants.

McGibbon, who holds a UEFA Pro License Badge, was player-manager at Lurgan Celtic after his retirement in 2006 until January 2009 when appointed assistant-manager to Mick Cooke at Monaghan United.

In February 2011 he took over as manager at struggling Newry City, but stepped down from the role in July 2012.

That November he was appointed first-team coach at Dungannon Swifts, but left at the end of the season. He has since coached youth teams and worked with mental health initiatives in Craigavon.