Though it has not caused half the controversy that his arrival in Derry did ahead of the 2024 season, Mickey Harte's appointment as joint-manager in Offaly has raised a few eyebrows.
The three-time All-Ireland winning manager's reign in Derry came to an abrupt end this summer, as the county's Division One triumph was followed by an utter collapse in form during the All-Ireland championship.
With much acrimony surrounding Harte's appointment in the first place, and performance levels hitting the floor, it was no surprise to see the Tyrone man exit stage left after just one season in charge.
It has not taken long for Harte to find his next job, with Offaly making the surprise announcement of his appointment last Monday.
Harte will oversee the county football team alongside the current manager Declan Kelly, in a similar joint-manager setup to that deployed of late in Harte's native Tyrone.
It is a bold strategy for Offaly to have a new man come in alongside the pre-existing management setup. It is also a strategy which Pat Spillane does not expect will see much success.
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Pat Spillane slams Offaly's appointment of Mickey Harte
25 August 2024; New joint Offaly county football manager Mickey Harte arrives before the Offaly Senior Club Football Championship Group 1 Round 3 match between Rhode and Tullamore at Daingean GAA Club in Offaly. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Writing in his column in the Sunday World, Kerry GAA legend Pat Spillane did not hold back in his assessment of Mickey Harte's appointment in Offaly.
The eight-time All-Ireland winner (and infamous ex-Sunday Game pundit) said that he believed Harte's big personality was destined to clash with Kelly's, saying that he expected the partnership to crash and burn.
Are you telling me that incumbent boss Declan Kelly looked for Harte to work alongside him? It is humiliating, embarrassing and demeaning for Kelly to have to share the role.
These are two strong-willed, independent individuals. My hunch is that the relationship will end in tears.
It's a strong take from Spillane, who has not held back when assessing Mickey Harte in the past.
During his time on the Sunday Game, Spillane infamously declared the style of football deployed by Harte's Tyrone side "puke football" - a phrase which has since stuck as a slang term for the defensive style of football favoured by many Ulster counties in recent years.
There's no second-guessing what Pat Spillane thinks of Mickey Harte's arrival in Offaly. Time will tell if the legendary manager will enjoy much success with the once-great footballing county.
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