Sligo Rovers have tonight announced the appointment of former Cliftonville Head Coach Gerard Lyttle as the club’s new manager.
Lyttle 39, who is a passionate Celtic supporter, guided Cliftonville into fourth place in the Irish Premiership in his first season, and also into the Europa League 1st qualifying round. They beat Luxembourg club FC Differdange 03 3-1 on aggregate, before being knocked out in the next round by Cypriot side AEK Larnaca 5-2.
This season the club are again lying fourth in the table with just two games remaining. Lyttle left the Irish Premiership side this morning.
Cliftonville FC announced his departure from the club earlier today via their official Twitter account;
Lyttle started his coaching career as Joint Manager of Amateur League Premier Division side Malachians from 2009-2011.
‘Skin’ featured in excess of 60 games for the Reds during a playing career which also included spells at Celtic, Peterborough United, Northampton and, in the Irish League, Ballymena United, Newry Town and Lisburn Distillery.
Capped at Under 21 level by Northern Ireland, UEFA Pro Licence holder Lyttle was Cliftonville’s First Team Coach from July 2011 until his appointment as Manager on October 15, 2015.
Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty spoke about the appointment:
“Gerard joins us with a good track record from his time with Cliftonville. He is ambitious and eager to bring success to Sligo Rovers. Gerard shares the vision we have for the club.”