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Michael Scully

Derry City manager Ruaidhri Higgins linked with Barnsley FC vacancy

Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins has been linked with a move to League One club Barnsley.

Higgins, 38, has just returned from the Faroe Islands, where he watched Derry's upcoming UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round opponents HB Torshavn in action over the weekend.

However there is speculation that it could be his last act as Candystripes boss, with Barnsley keen to make an appointment this week.

Read more: Manager abuse is a blight on our game and society says Stephen Baxter

Michael Duff left the Tykes for Swansea City last month and, with a pre-season friendly to come against Fylde on Saturday, the club is keen to have a new manager in place as soon as possible after reaching the play-off final last term, having finished fourth in the League One table.

According to local reports, Higgins has been identified as a strong candidate as he is seen as an innovative coach and it is believed he has held talks with the Oakwell club.

However Higgins did turn down the opportunity for advanced talks with Notts County last summer, so it remains to be seen if he wants to leave Derry, where he is contracted until 2025.

Higgins took over at the Brandywell in 2021 after leaving his role as Republic of Ireland's opposition analyst, the lure of a return to his former club - he played for Derry in two separate stints during his career - proving too tempting to turn down.

He has guided the club into Europe in his two seasons in charge, with the Candystripes winning the FAI Cup last November.

City are currently third in the Premier Division, having been leapfrogged by St Patrick's Athletic last week, and it remains to be seen if Higgins will be in the dugout on Friday for the League clash with Cork City.

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