Thursday, March 28, 2024
In BriefKenny Shiels out of his 'comfort zone' after Derry City appointment

Kenny Shiels out of his ‘comfort zone’ after Derry City appointment

BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport

Kenny Shiels insists he is glad to have taken himself out his ‘comfort zone’ after being appointed Derry City manager.

The former Kilmarnock and Morton boss has taken charge of the League of Ireland outfit after the departure of Peter Hutton in September and caretaker Paul Hegarty’s decision to rule himself out of the running.

derry city

Shiels had  brief spell in Thailand with BEC Tero Sasana this summer and had been working as Academy Head of Coaching at the Forth Valley Football Academy.

However, the 59-year-old, whose entire playing career was spent in the Northern Ireland leagues, is thrilled to be back in work with the only club from north of the border to feature in the Republic’s top-flight.

He told www.derrycityfc.net: “If you want to be successful, sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone and look to try and expand yourself.

“I think the challenge of the League of Ireland would be much more demanding on myself.

“Derry City are a fantastic club, with great tradition, and if you put everything together, with the fact that they’re full-time, it makes it so endearing to me.”

Derry finished seventh in the season just finished, with Shiels not due to make his competitive debut with the Candystripes until the new campaign begins in March.

@IainCollin

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