Derry legend Joe Brolly has made a desperate plea with the Derry county board, and those in power, to put an end to Mickey Harte's reign over the Oakleaf county.
Harte was brought in last year to replace Ciaran Meenagh, in a move that stunned the GAA world because of his history with rivalling neighbours Tyrone.
Despite bagging the McKenna Cup and Division One title, Harte's side lost four championship games and finally crashed out of the competition following a dire match against Kerry last weekend.
Speculation was rife during the campaign that the Errigal Ciaran man could be shown the door, but now that their year has come to an end, the rumour mill is in full flow.
Brolly has been adamant that Harte shouldn't have been given the job in the first place, and has been calling for his removal since day one.
On the latest episode of his Free State Podcast, the Dungiven man delivers one more desperate plea to bring an end to Harte's tenure.
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I do not expect Mickey to do the decent thing", said Brolly.
"I don't think it is in his nature. The Derry board need to step in now, do what's right and bring an end to this agony, because that's really what it's been.
"It's been absolute agony, and it's alright, I have been there and done it, I'm happy with my Derry-ness and my loyalty to Derry.
"But what about our boys who are out there, in the most important years of their career?
"Their careers are being flushed down the toilet by a fellow who hasn't a clue abut how to play in the modern game, whose almost every decision has been catastrophic, and has seen the team serially humiliated."
From Tuesday’s episode of Free State. Time for the Derry board to bring the players’ agony to an end. pic.twitter.com/t647vaqYrT
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) July 2, 2024
Harte himself was rather aloof about his future, and when asked by BBC Sport after the Kerry defeat if he would be staying on, he left it a bit open-ended.
Hugely disappointed and will be, and forever there will be a degree of disappointment in the days that you lose and believe you could do better," he added.
"So, yes, I’ll always be disappointed about that result and that outcome but pretty much an optimistic person and [I'll] look ahead.
"The past can’t be changed, we can try and do something different for the future, but I take life on a day to day basis like that."
The Tyrone native neither confirmed or denied that he would be staying for next season, but there's no doubt that some important conversations will be happening regarding his position in the near future.
