Paddy McLaughlin Appointed Glenavon Manager, Expresses Enthusiasm for Return to Irish League

On Sunday, Paddy McLaughlin was named Glenavon’s new manager, succeeding Stephen McDonnell. McLaughlin expressed his enthusiasm for returning to Irish League management, stating he is “buzzing to be back in the cauldron.” McDonnell’s departure from the Lurgan Blues followed a period of poor performance, leaving the club in 11th position in the Premiership table with only three victories from 17 league matches so far. McLaughlin had previously resigned as Cliftonville manager in April 2023, followed by a period as assistant manager at Derry City, which concluded in February. The former Institute manager has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Glenavon, with the aim of improving the mid Ulster club’s performance. Regarding his return to management, McLaughlin stated, “I wasn’t waiting on the perfect thing to come up but I was waiting on something that I’d be interested in and keen on.” He further commented, “Glenavon, obviously the pitch that they have and the training facilities, and the club itself is a good club, renowned to be a very well run club, a good club to get an opportunity with.” McLaughlin also remarked on the squad, saying, “The set of players they have too. I think they’re definitely underperforming. I don’t think they should be sitting where they are at. There’s more than enough talent there to start climbing the league.” McLaughlin’s immediate objective is to collaborate with the current players and his backroom staff, Marty McCann and Colin Coates, to enhance the club’s standing in the league. He acknowledged the team’s current situation, stating, “We are at the wrong end of the table and results have dictated that, so we have to go in and try and change that. “It’s going to be difficult but with hard work and the right people around you and the right players around you hopefully we can get some points on the board and pull away from that relegation zone.” McLaughlin outlined his tactical approach: “It’s just about going back to basics, stop giving away soft goals, having more control of the game, keeping possession better, and ultimately try to create chances at the top end for our strikers and score more goals.” The ex-defender confirmed that all players at the club would be given a fresh start and an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities. “Everyone will get their chance and we’ll be assessing everything and try to develop as a group,” he added. He also mentioned potential transfer market activity: “We may well have to step into the transfer market in January but it’s up to me and the coaches to produce the best that we can out of what we have and build around that.” Regarding the budget, McLaughlin stated, “The budget wasn’t discussed in too much detail [before he was appointed]. I have belief in my ability to get the best out of players first and foremost and then only if I feel we need strengthening will I step outside the club to bring in other players.” During the 2021-22 season, Paddy McLaughlin guided Cliftonville to a second-place finish in the league. McLaughlin has utilized his break from active management to enhance his coaching expertise and closely monitor both the League of Ireland and the Irish Premiership. He explained, “I’ve been keeping a close eye on both leagues as you don’t know when the opportunity will come up for either league, staying in touch with both and going to a lot of matches.” “Also club visits to see how other clubs and other managers do things, see where I was going right or wrong at Cliftonville and Institute. “Just try and take on as much information and try and improve myself for the next opportunity so hopefully I can go into the job better equipped than I was before,” he added. McLaughlin’s inaugural league fixture as manager will be an away game against mid Ulster derby rivals Portadown, which he characterized as “a baptism of fire.” “That’s what you want, to be involved in these kind of games,” he stated. He expressed confidence in the team’s potential, saying, “It’s easier said than done but three or four wins in a row, if you can put a run together, you can climb through the positions in the league. We believe we have a squad capable of doing that.” “I wouldn’t have come to Glenavon if I didn’t think myself and my staff were capable of getting the best from the players that we have,” McLaughlin concluded.