Given his Linfield connections, it was a surprising appointment from the word go, but Warren Feeney’s time as Glentoran manager has come to an end after nine months in charge.
Feeney’s final match in charge was a 3-0 defeat by Loughgall, leaving the Oval club in fifth place and a sizable 24 points off top spot.
Glentoran supporters have questioned whether there are issues that are rooted deeper than the manager, but in the immediate future the club have already said their attentions are on appointing a successor.
So, who could replace him? BBC Sport takes a look at some of the possible candidates.
Paddy McLaughlin
Former Cliftonville and Institute manager Paddy McLaughlin has emerged as an early frontrunner and would certainly be a popular choice.
McLaughlin burst onto the scene with Institute as he guided the club to the Championship title in 2018, followed by a successful start to the following campaign in the top flight.
His stock rose further when he joined Cliftonville in 2019 and he led the Reds’ resurgence after a number of frustrating years – with a League Cup and County Antrim Shield success during his tenure.
McLaughlin left Solitude last May for stint as Ruaidhri Higgins’ number two at his home town Derry City, but he left the Brandywell in February and has signalled an interest in return to management.
The 44-year-old’s name is the one on the lips of many supporters.
Declan Devine
Another man with strong connections to Derry City, Declan Devine has recently appeared on the managerial market after leaving Bohemians earlier in March.
Devine would be a safe and vastly-experienced pair of hands and while his record of silverware isn’t as prolific as some, he did guide Bohemians to the FAI Cup final last season against the odds.
He has never managed in the Irish Premiership before, but is no stranger to the league having played for Institute, Omagh Town and, you guessed it, Glentoran in the 1990s.
He spent one season at the Oval and claimed the Irish Cup in 1996 – a trophy the club are looking to win this season.
Could it be convenient timing for a reunion for both parties?
Gary Hamilton
Former Glentoran fan favourite Gary Hamilton is another manager between jobs after leaving Glenavon at the start of the season.
Hamilton had success throughout his 12 years at Mourneview Park, particularly in his early campaigns with two Irish Cup triumphs in 2014 and 2016.
He also led Glenavon into Europe on a number of occasions as the Lurgan Blues battled, and often outperformed, clubs who had a larger budget with full-time players.
After spending five seasons at the Oval as a player, Hamilton knows what it takes to win leagues and cups with Glentoran and will have that connection with the fans from his playing days.
His name is bound to be under consideration.
Ian Baraclough
Former Northern Ireland manager Ian Baraclough was mentioned last summer before Feeney was appointed as manager. Could his name crop up again?
Aside from his stint as Northern Ireland manager, which lasted three years, Baraclough has experience managing in the League of Ireland, winning a title with Sligo Rovers, and in Scotland with Motherwell.
His time as Northern Ireland’s Under-21s manager, which came before stepping up to the senior job in 2020, was also successful and he worked with a number of players who have now broken into Michael O’Neill’s squads.
The Glens also have a number of promising young players coming through, who would likely relish the chance to work with Baraclough.
He is currently assistant manager at Cheltenham Town until the end of the season. Could he be persuaded to take over the Oval hot seat? It would certainly be a big-name appointment.
Stephen Baxter
After announcing he was to leave Crusaders at the end of the season, ending his run as the world’s longest-serving manager, could Stephen Baxter be tempted by a quick return to management?
It’s hard to imagine Baxter not in the dugout at Seaview and, being honest, it is even more difficult to see him standing on the touchline at the Oval week in, week out.
In saying that, he does tick a lot of boxes. He knows the league inside out and his proven track record of success speaks for itself and his honours list incudes three league titles and four Irish Cups.
Baxter, 58, has not ruled out managing again after his 19-year association with Crusaders comes to an end. Speaking after the announcement, he said: “my football enthusiasm is as alive today as it was when I started”.
It would certainly be a sensational switch if it materialised.
There are plenty of options available for Glentoran, no matter which path they choose.