Nathan Rooney Views Larne Managerial Role as “Perfect Opportunity”

Nathan Rooney has signed a two-and-a-half-year agreement to manage Irish Premiership champions Larne, stating that leading the club is “the perfect opportunity” for him. This two-and-a-half-year agreement sees Rooney replace Tiernan Lynch as the manager of the Inver Park team. The 35-year-old, originally from Blackburn, transitions to the Irish League after his tenure with the Gibraltarian club Bruno’s Magpies. Rooney conveyed to BBC Sport NI, “It’s the perfect job for me. The opportunity to come into a league where I can stamp my mark and a boardroom which shares the same values.” He further elaborated, “A perfect opportunity – the setting, the foundations laid in place by the previous manager, a couple of the current players I’ve worked with in the past as well.” Rooney takes charge of a team that has not yet secured any points in the Uefa Conference League group stages, despite being the inaugural Irish League club to advance to that phase of a significant European club tournament. The reigning two-time league champions currently hold ninth position in the Premiership standings, though they possess outstanding fixtures compared to all teams ahead of them, including table-toppers Linfield, whom they are 14 points behind, having played four fewer matches. Rooney intends to continue the club’s significant improvement, a process in which Lynch, now with Derry City, was instrumental, while also introducing his distinct approach and concepts to his new role. He stated, “For this year we’ve got to get the points back on the table but hopefully with my approach and my experience from previous jobs I’ve got the bravery and the confidence to put the work in action.” Rooney added, “We want to get a point in Europe, that’s the next step against one of the big teams, but we want to build momentum in the league as well.” When questioned about his managerial philosophy, Rooney clarified that he is “tough in terms of managing the seniors” and “quite demanding in terms of what the training regime looks like.” He emphasized, “For me that’s important that we get that perfectly bang on so that we can roll into the games with no questions asked – full clarity, confidence.” Rooney further stated, “Demands are going to be high but we want to excite each other, instil something different, and integrate youth at the right moment.” The club from east Antrim has chosen to maintain some consistency amidst the transition, with former first-team coach Gary Haveron elevated to the position of assistant manager. Rooney explained, “It’s important to come here and listen to the backroom team, to implement my style with the expertise already in there.” He added, “From what I’ve seen in the last couple of days and on the phone it’s the perfect match. I want to hit the ground running.” Rooney also mentioned, “They [Larne] wanted a young manager, someone who could bring energy, someone who could build foundations. I’m about allowing staff and players to grow under my leadership, someone infectious who can deliver the tactical side of the game as well.” Haveron is set to lead the team for Thursday’s Uefa Conference League fixture against Olimpija Ljubljana from Slovenia, before Rooney officially takes over on Friday, in advance of Sunday’s Premiership encounter with Cliftonville at Inver Park.