This weekend brings triple good news for Glentoran Head Coach Mick McDermott. He has been named as November’s Aktivora Manager of the Month, seen his team’s unbeaten Danske Bank Premiership run extended to eleven games and has agreed an extension to his existing contract with the club until June 2024.
This is Mick’s fourth Manager of the Month award since joining the club in March 2019. During the month the team took sixteen of eighteen available points in the Danske Bank Premiership, as Glentoran extended the league unbeaten run to ten games and rose to third in the table.
Mick said of his award: “November was a hectic month with so many games, but we did really well considering the injuries we’ve had to deal with. So, I’m delighted for the players because they’ve dealt with all those problems and still picked up victories. It’s always nice to pick up a prize like this. It’s recognition for not just me, but also for my backroom staff and my players.”
Glentoran majority shareholder Ali Pour said of Mick’s new deal: “Mick has been embedded in every aspect of this project; he has played a role in every step from the takeover to the day-to-day operations and management of the team. To take control of a big club, revitalize and rebuild it into a highly competitive team is no easy task; the fact that Glentoran FC is a ‘force’ again and capable of challenging for trophies, in such a short time span, is a credit to Mick and the people around him. With two successive European qualifications and an Irish Cup success in our first two seasons we can be pleased but not satisfied - we are by no means near the finishing line; I am committed to the long-term future of Glentoran FC. We will face many challenges and battles along the way. That is normal in any environment when the status quo is questioned. These experiences will only make us stronger in our desire to succeed! I know Mick is dedicated and committed in everything that he does for this project and club, and I am confident the future is bright for the entire Glentoran community”
Chairman Stephen Henderson: “As a club, we are very happy to have secured the services of Mick as our manager for the next two seasons. Stability at any club is a crucial ingredient as we continue to strive towards re-establishing this great club as a consistent contender for the major honours within our game. The progress on the pitch has been tangible over his time in charge, an Irish Cup win and back-to-back qualifications for UEFA competitions are proof of that, but the expectations, as Mick knows are higher still. He has built a strong squad and we look forward to hopefully watching them deliver success on the pitch in the coming years under his management”
Mick said of his extension: “I am honoured to be offered this contract extension; and accept it without hesitation. I appreciate the faith that Ali and the Board are showing in me with this new agreement and fully understand the high expectations that come with it. Since the takeover in July 2019, it has been like a whirlwind: re-building a Club, re-building a squad, building a team into what we are today. It has been and remains a massive challenge for me and I could not do it without the commitment of my players, the loyalty of my staff, the work-ethic of the many unsung volunteers, the backing of Ali and the Board….and of course, the support of the masses of Glentoran fans! Rest assured that every decision I have made and every battle I have fought has been with the best interests of Glentoran FC at its core and I will continue that as long as I am here. I am excited for the future and at Ali Pour’s vision and plans for the Club; we will not stand still. To all our Glentoran FC community, I thank you for your support.…….to the Future!!”
Assistant Head Coach Paul Millar: I am delighted the club has announced this extension to Mick’s contract. It is well documented where the Club was just over two years ago – a bleak future lay ahead. Since the takeover by Ali Pour, Mick has worked tirelessly to improve standards both on and off the pitch. I observe it daily and can say, the club is in a much better place today, with a highly competitive team that is now capable of challenging for trophies. Mick’s full focus is on continued improvement and raising the standards of every aspect of the club, including the development of our fulltime elite Academy. He also understands and accepts the high expectations and demands of a big club like Glentoran. Mick has had several offers overseas this past year, but it shows his level of commitment to this project when these contract negotiations lasted merely 10 minutes. This contract extension is much deserved”
