Armagh legend Oisin McConville is adamant that Mickey Harte will remain in charge of Derry next year, despite their disappointing end to the season.
Derry were eliminated by Kerry last weekend, and although there is no shame in that, there was a stark contrast between how they lost to The Kingdom this year compared to their defeat against Jack O'Connor's men last year.
Containment was the top priority this time around, while last season they were went after their opposition and took the game to them, dying on their sword in the process.
The manner of that defeat and the fact that it was their fourth loss in one championship campaign, has left a lot of Derry fans feeling bitter towards the Tyrone native.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
However, McConville believes that even with all of the outside noise, Harte will still be in charge of the Oakleafers next season.
When the Derry County Board went headhunting Mickey Harte and he took that job there’s no way they are going back on those thoughts right now," said McConville on The GAA Social podcast.
“You don’t have to stick with it but that’s what they are going to do.
"To make that sort of appointment, which is controversial in the first place, there’s no way they are going to fall back on that, no chance.
"Mickey Harte will still be there next year, absolutely."
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McConville's confidence in Derry retaining Harte doesn't mean that he thinks the Errigal Ciaran man did well this season.
In fact, the Orchard hero was critical of the whole squad and their failure to find any form in the championship.
If you wanted to make excuses you could say, ‘three weeks in a row, too much, there was tiredness'. Whether that was a factor I don’t know.
"There’s no real spark. They got nothing off the bench, too many boys underperformed," reflected the BBC analyst.
“Kerry did enough to get over the line. Derry never kicked on and there was a feel of a real lack of energy. They went out with a bit of a whimper.
“I think since that league final they haven’t got to the pitch of it since.
“When you watched the league final you’re thinking, ‘that’s your All-Ireland champions in waiting’ if they can keep it together. They failed to keep it together for whatever reason. They have regressed in the last two to three months, big time.
“The defeats obviously knock your confidence no matter who you are. If you have players who are underperforming it makes life more difficult for the rest of the guys on the pitch."
There were rumours following the team's defeat to Armagh in the group stages that Harte had been ousted by the players, but they proved to be false.
If Derry are to make a decision on Harte's future, it will be made sooner rather than later so they can either find a successor, or put an end to any gossip and uncertainty around the camp.
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