Jim McGuinness could be set for a return to inter-county football with Down.
The 2012 All Ireland-winning manager with Donegal has been lined up as part of Conor Laverty's reported coaching ticket. Laverty is the frontrunner to replace Paddy Tally, who stepped down in July after just a year at the helm.
The Irish News say McGuinness and 2010 All Star Marty Clarke will assist Laverty with the Ulster side.
McGuinness left the Donegal job in 2014, and has spent the last few years building his reputation as a soccer coach. Late last month he led Derry City's U19 to Enda McGuill Cup final victory over Bohemians.
Prior to that, he'd held coaching positions at Scottish giants Celtic, Chinese team Beijing Sinbo Guoan, and was briefly manager of American second-tier outfit, Charlotte Independence.
Laverty was originally OK'd for another season in charge of the Down U20 side, having last year masterminded Ulster success - aided by Clarke.
Down beat Laois in a playoff in June to retain their Division 2 status, but fell at the first hurdle in the Ulster Championship - losing by 16-points to Donegal in the preliminary round.
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