Glentoran FC
Glentoran manager Mick McDermott outlines his future plans following EGM vote
Speculation has been mounting over his future role at the Oval
Gareth Fullerton
Glentoran manager Mick McDermott
Mick McDermott insists he will remain as manager of Glentoran despite speculation surrounding his future role at the club.
McDermott was appointed in March and guided the East Belfast side to an unbeaten run to the Europa League playoff final before losing to Cliftonville.
The 45-year-old is part of a UK-based consortium led by British-Iranian businessman Ali Shams Mohammad Pour whose investment proposals were backed by 96% of shareholders on Thursday night .
The plans involve a major restructure of the club, but McDermott insists it will not include a change of manager.
"I'm the manager, 100%," he told the BBC.
"It's just speculation, nobody else is coming in. It's a role I have enjoyed for the seven games I have taken charge.
"I can't say what might happen two, three or four years down the line but for now my target, with my staff, is to hit the ground running at the start of the season.
"I realise I'm under pressure to get results like any other manager would be. If, in the future, I feel somebody else can guide the club to success better as a manager than I can, then I will be happy to step aside."
While shareholders have given the green light to the club's new investment plans, McDermott insists the deal "is not over the line."
That's What I Call Football podcast episode 41 is here!
He added: "The EGM was a major step but the deal is not over the line just yet because there are still a couple more hurdles to get over.
"There is one major liability that has to be taken care of but negotiations are taking place with the legal teams and we are confident that will be sorted in the next week."
Meanwhile, McDermott says an announcement is imminent from the club on the futures of former manager Gary Smyth and his assistant Paul Leeman.
"Gary and Paul were offered positions to remain at the club and the board are dealing with that. I have the highest regard for them both," McDermott added.
"Both Paul Millar and Kieran Harding will remain in the roles but I think we will add to the coaching staff over the summer."
East Belfast
Northern Ireland Football League
The Open ChampionshipGallery: 25 photos of Tuesday's action at Royal Portrush
The Open ChampionshipThe Open 2019: 25 photos of Tuesday's action at Royal PortrushThe big names were out in force on Tuesday at Royal Portrush
Celtic FCRod Stewart phones hotline to join Rangers vs Celtic rankings debateFair to say he was having none of it