Inver boss McAlinden is in no rush to replace coaches

Already gone is youth team manager Martin Rodgers, while first-team coach Paddy Byrne is also expected to be heading for the exit door. And the boss was not for speculating about their successors.

Midfielder Stuart King, who has moved down the road to Dixon Park to become assistant to Ballyclare Comrades’ manager Davy Dorrian, had expressed an interest in combining the coaching role with a playing one, but the manager didn’t think it was a good idea.

“I’m delighted that Stuart has got himself a nice appointment there and he should enjoy working with Davy. He had enquired about a player-coach position here at Larne but, despite the successful manner in which Gary Hamilton wears two hats with Glenavon, I really don’t think you can perform a dual role.

“So, while we wanted to retain Stuart as a player, he was keen to get into the coaching end of things and so he has moved on. Stuart’s a great lad and a top player and we wish him very well with his new job.

“If, as expected, Paddy does leave to extend his career in England, I will be taking my time in finding a replacement. I think it’s a very important post and, as I’ve said before, I want people around whom I can trust, so it will not be something that I will rush into,” stressed the manager, who is pleased that Paul Maguire signed a one-year extension to his contract on Sunday.

Departed player King expressed his gratitude to everyone connected with Larne.

“I really enjoyed my time at the club, from Graham McConnell bringing me there, all the way through to my time under Davy who has terrific ambition for Larne and seems very focused on seeing it through,” he said.

“I would like to have stayed but Davy explained the situation and I wanted to broaden my football horizons into the coaching end. I had two great offers to combine playing with that, one with Carrick and the other with Comrades, and I have chosen to go to Dixon Park.

“I want to thank everyone at Inver and I wish the club well for the future. Further down the road it might even be possible for me to return one day in a different capacity,” added the 35-year-old.