Paddy McLaughlin says he has ‘no intentions’ of managing Cork City 

Derry City’s Paddy McLaughlin has said he has ‘no intentions’ of managing Cork City.

This comes during a storm of speculation linking the former Cliftonville boss with the Rebel Army, who will play First Division football in 2024.

The coach will remain in his current position as Ruaidhrí Higgins’ assistant at the Brandywell.

"I've no intentions of going anywhere," he told BBC Sport NI.

"If anyone is asking me if I'll be the next Cork manager then it will be a 'no' from me," McLaughlin added.

"At the start I was laughing it off, I thought it was small and nothing too serious.

"I hadn't spoken to them, never mind agreed a deal. That's when I got a bit annoyed and frustrated because it's a bit disrespectful to me and it's very disrespectful to Derry City.

"I've got a lot of commitments in Derry. I have a young family in Derry and I'm only six or seven months in to a two-and-a-half-year deal.

"I was delighted to get back to my home town club. I've a job to do and it's a job I love doing.

"I've been a Derry City fan my whole life and I was delighted to get back when I did. We have a big season coming up next year and we've European football to look forward to next year."

McLaughlin was heavily linked with Cork City in the immediate aftermath of their relegation to the League of Ireland First Division after losing a play-off to Waterford FC last Friday at Tallaght Stadium.

At one stage it was reported that a deal had been agreed between the former Cliftonville coach and the Rebel Army, who are without a permanent manager since Colin Healy resigned in May 2023.

Richie Holland was the most recent person to take charge of the club, and he admitted a rebuilding process is now needed.

McLaughlin is best known for his spell at Solitude as he helped Cliftonville win the County Antrim Shield and the Irish League Cup.

The coach was also in charge of Institute in the Irish League and he guided the club to the NIFL Championship title in 2014.

McLaughlin has spent the last year at Derry City, and he played a key role in the Candystripes finishing second place in the League of Ireland Premier Division and reaching the third round of the Europa Conference League.

City’s hunt for a manager even led to an approach getting made to Drogheda United’s Kevin Doherty last August.

It was reported in the Irish Independent that the Dubliner held talks with the Rebel Army and he chose to stay in his current position at Weavers Park.