Magilton tipped to take over

SHAMROCK ROVERS may ask former assistant boss Jim Magilton to return to the club and aid their bid to finish off the season with European qualification.

The Hoops board were this morning assessing life after Stephen Kenny following his dismissal yesterday.

A batch of former LOI managers, such as John McDonnell, Brian Kerr, Damien Richardson and John Gill, are not currently in management and would be available to take up the job until the end of the season at least.

But Rovers, mindful of the success that came the last time they recruited a manager from outside the league when they hired Michael O'Neill from Brechin City, and the fact that an imported manager (Sligo boss Ian Baraclough) is likely to win the Premier Division title this season, are more likely to look outside the league for Kenny's replacement.

And that could lead to a return for Magilton (pictured left), who made a big impression in his stint as O'Neill's assistant last season when the Hoops won a second successive league title and also qualified for the Europa League group stages.

The former Ipswich Town boss has been out of work since he left Australian side Melbourne Victory in the summer.