Tyrone's Mickey Harte steps down as manager after 18 years

Mickey Harte has stepped down as manager of Tyrone football after 18 years in charge. He ends a career as the most successful and longest serving manager in the county's history.

It follows a week of speculation about his future. The move comes at the end of most recent three-year appointment. The county board will now invite other candidates to put their names forward.

Earlier this week it emerged that the county executive had declined his request for a one-year extension to his appointment.

Tyrone’s season ended two weeks ago with defeat by Donegal in the Ulster championship and with no qualifier rounds being played this year because of the pandemic, the county exited after one match for the first time in 20 years.

Under his tenure Tyrone has won the All-Ireland championship in 2003, 2005, and 2008.

Earlier in his career he guided Tyrone's Under-21 team to two All-Irelands and three Ulster titles. He also led the minors to an All-Ireland title and three Ulster Minor titles. At club level he led his home club Errigal Ciarán to a Tyrone County Championship and Ulster Championship.

Congratulations, Mickey Harte, on a truly fantastic career. Not just what you achieved, but how you gave so much to the #GAA and especially your beloved #Tyrone . I've always had huge respect for your values, and hugely regret you fell out with RTE. Wishing you the very best. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Q0XU1wPIMP

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— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) November 13, 2020

There is already speculation as to who may take on the role, although one potential candidate, Peter Canavan, made clear earlier this month that he would not be in the running.

"If Mickey opts out, I'll not be involved in managing a team where I've a son and a son-in-law involved," he told the BBC after the Donegal defeat. "It's not on my radar. I've no ambition to be manager or to be involved with managing the Tyrone senior team." Canavan's son, Daragh, and his son-in-law Peter Harte are involved with the current senior football panel.