Coaching Staff

Manager
Jim Magilton

Jim Magilton became the 29th appointed Manager of Cliftonville Football Club on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

In a playing career that saw him make his Irish League debut for Distillery at the age of just 15, midfielder Magilton signed professionally with Liverpool before going on to represent Oxford United and played Premier League football for Southampton, Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town, where he took up his first managerial role in a three-year spell between 2006-09.

A stint in charge of Queens Park Rangers preceded the 52-times capped former Northern Ireland captain being appointed as Michael O’Neill’s Assistant Manager during an historically successful spell at Shamrock Rovers prior to his installation as boss of Melbourne Victory in the Australian A-League.

In 2013, Magilton was appointed Elite Performance Director by the Irish Football Association and later served as Manager of the Northern Ireland Under-21 side ahead of taking up a Sporting Director position at Dundalk, where he also briefly served as Interim Manager in 2021.

During his first season in charge at Solitude, he oversaw the end of Cliftonville’s 45-year wait for Irish Cup glory as well as earning qualification for the UEFA Conference League via the Club’s position in the Sports Direct Premiership.

Assistant Manager
Gerard Lyttle

A former Cliftonville player, coach and Manager, ‘Skin’ returned to Solitude as assistant to Jim Magilton in June 2023.

Following a playing career that began at Celtic and included spells at Swindon Town, Peterborough United, Ballymena United, Newry City and Lisburn Distillery as well as two stints with the Reds, Lyttle took charge of Junior side Malachians before being brought back to Cliftonville to join Tommy Breslin’s coaching staff in 2011.

He was appointed Manager in the aftermath of Breslin’s resignation and oversaw the Club’s fourth consecutive League Cup triumph in 2015, adding to the Premiership successes that had been enjoyed in 2012 and 2013.

After stepping down as Reds boss in 2017, Lyttle took over the reins at Sligo Rovers and also had a period in charge of Northern Ireland’s Under-17 and Under-19 sides prior to his latest return to Cliftonville.

Strength & Conditioning Coach
Ricky McCann

A valuable member of Tommy Breslin’s staff during Cliftonville’s title triumphs of 2013 and 2014, Ricky returned to the Reds in the summer of 2023.

One of the leading sports scientists in the country, Ricky is also a key component of Michael O’Neill’s backroom team for the Northern Ireland international side and, through his work at the Sports Institute, provides support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Goalkeeping Coach
Rob Murdie

A Goalkeeping Coach of some repute, Rob made the move to Cliftonville from Ballyclare Comrades in the summer of 2023.

A UEFA Goalkeeping B Licence holder, Rob is also the Head Goalkeeping Coach at Belfast Met’s full-time Academy and is highly respected for his work at the Rangers Academy NI and NIGK Institute, where he has developed and coached Elite Academy and professional club goalkeepers.

Kit Manager
Brian Campbell

Nephew of Doctor John, Brian first stepped into the Kitman’s role back in 2007 and has been trusted by a succession of Cliftonville Managers ever since as well as undertaking the same job on the international stage with Northern Ireland’s Under-21s.

Assistant Kit Manager
Gerard Lawlor

A name synonymous with Cliftonville for many years, Gerard – son of the Club’s former Chairman – has been part of the backroom team for the last few seasons, providing assistance to both Brian Campbell and the playing squad during their preparations on training nights and matchdays.

Physiotherapist
Gary Crosbie

Most recently with Ballymena United, Gary has prior experience with Donegal Celtic as well as the Body Basics Sports Injury Clinic, and is another who joined Cliftonville’s backroom staff in the summer of 2023.

Club Doctor
Dr John Campbell

A long-serving custodian of Cliftonville FC, Dr Campbell – who was inducted to the club’s Hall of Fame in 2019 – arrived at Solitude in 1991 and, throughout his dedicated service, has enjoyed three League title successes, five League Cup crowns, an Irish Cup triumph and a host of other honours, to which his contribution cannot be overlooked.