FORMER Derry City defender Darren Kelly has expressed an interest in becoming the next Candy Stripes manager.
Speaking exclusively to Derry Daily, the former Oldham boss, insisted he has what it takes to steer City in the right direction following the dismissal of Kenny Shiels.
The former Northern Ireland U21 international believes the timing is right for him to return to the Brandywell.
And DD Sport can reveal that some senior figures at Derry City are keen for the Creggan man to return to his hometown club.
Speaking to Derry Daily on Monday afternoon, Kelly said: “I don’t know what the thought process is behind the scenes but everybody knows my love for the club, Derry City is my team, I was born literally a mile and a half from the Brandywell.
“I went there as a player and gave my heart and soul for the team when I played and I done my coaching badges to one day become the Derry City manager.
“If that happens, brilliant, if it doesn’t, it would definitely be something that I look back on with regret,” he said.
“I haven’t been approached or anything like that. I am contracted at Hyde United, I really enjoy it here but Derry City is my first club and I would never turn down an opportunity to chat (with the board) if they wanted to do that.”
Kelly recently guided Hyde United to promotion following three consecutive relegations before his appointment.
Kelly did his first coaching badge – Uefa B – at aged 20 before completing his Pro Licence qualification in 2014 – managing at Oldham Atheltic, Halifax Town and currently Northern Premier League side Hyde United.
The Derry man was the mastermind of Hyde United’s record-breaking rise up the Northern Premier League’s Division One North in contrast to three consecutive relegations suffered before Kelly’s appointment as manager in 2016.
Having begun his playing career at Derry City, the former defender moved to Carlisle United for £100,000 in 2002, then Portadown, towards the end Kelly had been coaching at York City.
Following his retirement, he then had a five-month stint at Sunderland’s Academy.
“I just love the place and everything about the club and I got very dishearten when I saw the way the season had gone,” he added.
When asked would it be a dream to manage on the Lone Moor Road, Kelly said: “Of course, I feel I know what needs to be done at the club, from a recruitment point.
“I did it last season at Hyde (United) on an extremely low budget, I believe my recruitment is second to none and I know what Derry City need.
“Then you look at the quality that is within the town and they’re unfortunately playing elsewhere.
“And I even keep track of them because, as Derry person, that is what you do. You like to see people do well, you like to see the Derry boys do well.
“The likes of your Patrick McClean’s and Joshua Daniels, all of those players who are playing away and you think to yourself, you should be playing at Derry City and I’m sad to see them playing elsewhere at the same time,” he added.
“But one of my biggest strengths is on the training ground and the man management side, I would get the players to believe in what I do. I would get them to have pride in the shirt that they wear.”
Kelly admitted he was saddened last week to learn there was no local talent in Derry’s defeat to Bray Wanderers – having previously been part of Derry teams that oozed of local talent from the City.
“I look at the European campaign that we had in 2006, I think we had seven or eight Derry boys in the team, and that includes Kevin McHuge, whether he likes it not,” Kelly laughed.
“That team included Peter Hutton, Kevin Deery, Sean Hargan and more. If you look at it, we were beaten on goal difference to the league title, we won the League Cup, we won the FAI Cup, and we had a fantastic run in Europe – with majority Derry boys in the team.”
Derry City’s players Stephen O’Flynn, Darren Kelly, Kevin Deery and Barry Molloy celebrate after they defeated IFK Gothenburg during the UEFA Cup first qualifying round second leg match at Brandywell Stadium, Derry.
“I always remember someone saying to me, ‘when you play for your hometown club, you always get an extra ten or fifteen per cent’ and I always stood by that.
“Whenever I pulled on the shirt for Derry there was something inside of me that wanted to give more than I was already giving.
“There was something about pulling on that shirt that you gave an extra ten per cent and that is something as a Derry boy at the Brandywell, in front of your own supporters, in front of your family, that is what it was all about.”
The 39-year-old, who played a significant part in the club’s 2006 UEFA Cup ride against Gothenburg, Gretna and Paris St-Germain, is convinced that obtaining the Derry post would be a fantastic step in his managerial career.
“I would rather fail in the Premier League or in Scotland than fail at Derry City, that is how highly I rate the job.
‘If Derry City were 25 leagues below Hyde United, Derry City is my club. Irrespective if Hyde United were in the Premier League, I want people to understand that they are my club and that won’t change, I am from Derry City and the Derry people are my people and I love that club.
“I’ve been at Derry under Felix Healy and Stephen Kenny and the thing about Derry is, when things are going well the place is absolutely buzzing, there is no better feeling.
“You’ve got to have a close community connection and when I heard there was only 1,000 people at the final home game, I was sad to hear that,” Kelly added.
“I remember the Brandywell being 3,000 plus and If I was given the opportunity I would try to get it all together again.”
The Creggan man had two stints at Derry City under Felix Healy and Stephen Kenny.
Kelly admits that he hasn’t put his name forward for the position but acknowledged it would be too good to turn down.
“Listen, Derry City is my hometown club and it would be the pinnacle of my career, and as much as people might be baffled by that, there is a connection to that club with my heart and I wear my heart on my sleeve for Derry City.
“Whether it comes up now, in two years time or in ten years, I just hope that I can get an opportunity to show everyone what I can bring.”
A number of candidates have already been linked with the vacant managerial position on Foyleside.
Northern Ireland U21 manager Ian Baraclough has emerged as one of the front-runners, while Declan Devine and Paul Hegarty have also been mentioned, but Derry Daily understands that the pair are not interested in the position at this time.
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