DERRY county board have denied that Brian McIver is stepping down as the county’s Director of Football.
The Irish News understands that the former Oak Leaf boss, who has also managed Donegal in the past, is set to leave to his current post, which he has held for four years.
A spokesperson for Derry GAA said: “Brian McIver’s position and role hasn’t changed”, but when further asked whether it would change in the near future and whether the Director of Football role would continue to exist, they declined to comment on either matter.
Brian McIver did not respond to a request for comment.
He was appointed to the role in September 2015, having just quit as the county’s senior football manager.
His brief was described at the time as “overseeing the development of players and coaches and to develop a consistent approach to preparation and performance across all age levels”.
Ballinderry’s former All-Ireland club winning boss’s four-year term has seen Derry reach three consecutive Ulster minor finals, winning one, but the senior footballers tumbled down the divisions, ending up in Division Four this year.
McIver found himself a target for criticism throughout his reign, with former player and pundit Joe Brolly the most vocal, while he came under fire from the clubs during a series of meetings held earlier this year.
His tenure as Derry manager saw the Oak Leafers reach a Division One final in 2014, but their championship performances never hit those heights and he quit in anger at Conor Lane’s refereeing performance in their qualifier loss to Galway.
Having managed Donegal to their first ever National League title, he went on to join James McCartan’s backroom team and help Down reach the All-Ireland final in 2010.
