Coleraine Manager Ruaidhri Higgins Focused on Club Success Amid Maccabi Haifa Rumors
Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins stated that the open managerial position at Maccabi Haifa “does not appeal to me,” even though he has made the club’s shortlist.
The 42-year-old coach found himself linked to the role at the Israeli team following the exit of Barak Bakhar, but Higgins emphasized that he remains committed to securing the Irish Premiership title for Coleraine for only the second time in the club’s history.
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Under Higgins’ leadership, Coleraine clinched the Irish Cup for the first time since 2018 during his first full season in charge, and the team is currently in second place in the league after a promising start this season.
“There was definitely something in it, but you know how it works nowadays; it’s very much data-driven and computerized,” Higgins remarked.
“I only know that I was on a data-driven shortlist, but that’s as much as I can say, and it’s not something that appeals to me, that’s the truth.
“I genuinely mean this: this is the happiest I’ve been in football in a long, long time. I’ve never felt as well looked after in my career; since I was 14 years old when I went to England for Coventry, I’ve never been this happy.
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“The way this club supports me, and the staff and everyone at this club, has been unbelievable. I absolutely love it here, and I have a job to do which I want to see through.”
‘I have so much to prove’
Higgins took over managerial duties at Coleraine in May last year, following a successful three-year tenure at Premier Division side Derry City, where he led the team to victory in the 2022 FAI Cup final.
The former midfielder, who won a League of Ireland winner’s medal with Dundalk in 2014, is now eager to secure a league title as a manager with Coleraine.
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“I understand how difficult happiness is to achieve in life, especially over the past few years, and it would take more than just financial incentives. To be honest, I have so much to prove. I’ve never won a league as a manager,” he stated.
“When I took the Derry City job, we were at the bottom of the league after seven games, but I have shown that I can improve teams and lead them to challenge. I’ve secured a few cup victories, but one thing I still need to accomplish is to elevate teams and win a league.
“That’s what we need to strive for, and it’s something we will work tirelessly to achieve.”
Coleraine trails the league leaders by just one point after suffering a 3-0 loss to Linfield in their last match, breaking a five-game unbeaten streak.
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However, Higgins is confident in his team’s ability to recover from this setback when they face Portadown on Friday.
“We addressed the Linfield game during our meeting on Monday, and we obviously focused on specific issues, but there has been a real determination about us this week,” he noted.
“There is a genuine drive and energy, and I hope we can showcase those qualities on the pitch. If we do, we could have a successful evening.
“I feel we have a strong mentality and are more than capable of bouncing back when needed.”
