Paul Hegarty’s return to Derry as assistant boss is a major coup: Ruaidhri Higgins

Former fan favourite midfielder Paul Hegarty has returned to Derry City as Ruaidhri Higgins’ assistant

Ruaidhri Higgins believes that Paul Hegarty will be a valuable addition to Derry City after the former midfielder returned to the club as assistant manager.

With the deal to bring Alan Reynolds back to the Brandywell falling through, the club have acted quickly to fill the gap left following the departure of Paddy McLaughlin.

The new League of Ireland season begins on Friday, February 16 when the Candystripes host Drogheda United at the Brandywell, and Hegarty will be back in a dugout he has grown very familiar with at different stages over his career.

“I’m delighted to be working with Paul and he’ll bring a wealth of experience to our group,” said manager Ruaidhri Higgins, who worked under Hegarty in 2006.

“I know from previous experience that he brings an unbelievable work ethic and knowledge of this League and its players.

“Paul will be of great support to me going forward, and this is a club that has always been very close to his heart.

“He brings real intelligence to his work and I’m looking forward to tapping into that.

“He has enjoyed success here in the past, both as a player and then as assistant to Stephen Kenny, and we’ll do everything in our power to bring more in the future.”

Hegarty, who was last involved in football as assistant to Ollie Horgan in 2021, has been close to a return on a number of occasions in recent years, and he admitted it was good to be back.

“I’m delighted to be back, and I’m fairly sure everybody knows what this club means to me,” he said.

“I’m here to do whatever I can to help Ruaidhri and the players and it’s a challenge I’m really looking forward to.”

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