IT is understood Paddy McLaughlin is on the brink of leaving Cliftonville and returning to his hometown club Derry City as assistant manager.
The Reds have been enduring a poor run of form in recent times having lost their last two league games against newly crowned champions Larne and Glentoran.
The manner of those two defeats - not to mention their Irish Cup quarter-final exit at home to Dungannon Swifts - caused some discontent among the Cliftonville faithful, with a growing number feeling that the affable Derry man may have taken this squad of players as far as he can, even though there is still a European place up for grabs between now and the end of the season.
McLaughlin was heavily linked to a role at Derry City a couple of seasons ago but was persuaded to stay with the north Belfast club and kept them in the title frame, while also memorably winning the League Cup in 2022.
The former Derry City defender is close friends with Brandywell manager Ruaidhrí Higgins with the latter on the look-out for a new number two following the departure of Alan Reynolds who stepped away due to personal reasons a few weeks ago.
McLaughlin, who still lives in Derry, was an interested spectator for Derry City's visit to Dundalk on Sunday, which finished 2-2 in Oriel Park.
After Cliftonville's 3-0 defeat to Glentoran on Saturday, assistant manager Declan O'Hara said that everyone would have to take a good look at themselves.
“If I’m right, that’s 48 goals we’ve conceded in the league this season," said O'Hara.
"That can’t happen, not at this level. There were a few home truths and a few harsh words said in the changing room afterwards.
“It was a tough one to take. Four or five weeks ago, we were still challenging for the league title, now we are sitting fourth and well out of it. We need to take a look at ourselves collectively – the coaching staff and the players.”
A huge supporter of McLaughlin, O'Hara has been a loyal backer of the manager since he assumed the role back in February 2019.
In an interview with The Irish News in January, O'Hara lauded McLaughlin's impact at Solitude.
“If I was a player I’d love to be playing under Paddy McLaughlin – his team-talks, his one-to-one management, dealing with his own staff – if we’re not doing our jobs properly, he’ll let us know. He is top notch at what he does and that’s why Cliftonville are where they are,” O’Hara said.
“We’re at the right end of the table, we’re challenging for cups, we’re filling Solitude – and that’s down to Paddy McLaughlin. We’re his staff but he’s the main man at the end of the day. I love working with him – I could kill him sometimes – but he’s a top fella on and off the pitch.”
If McLaughlin confirms he is moving on, it remains to be seen if O'Hara takes the role on an interim basis. He harbours ambitions of being a number one someday but the anticipated vacancy mightn't be the right timing for the 39-year-old.
