The 40-twelve months-old took over on the Brandywell in April 2021 and led the Candystripes to cup success in 2022.

Under his management, Derry absorb done second in the Irish Premier Division twice – in 2022 and 2023 – and fought any other title bid this season, sooner or later ending fourth.

Nonetheless, that league attain – coupled with cup ideal defeat in Dublin final week – methodology Derry is no longer going to play European soccer subsequent season.

Talking to BBC Sport NI after that defeat, Higgins admitted that it has been a “genuinely no longer easy few weeks” after missing out on a capacity double.

“We now absorb rather of time to replicate in the next week or two and look the set issues are at, because it is doubtless you’ll perhaps perhaps presumably imagine it is a ways rarely easy to talk now,” Higgins stated.

“It’s easy to lie down in no longer easy moments, however we’ll dig deep and defend fighting and reach aid stronger.”

Higgins’ appointment in April 2021 changed into his first senior managerial plan after working as a analyst and scout below Stephen Kenny with the Republic of Ireland national group.

The feeble midfielder took over a facet that changed into bottom of the Premier Division and led them to a fourth positioned attain in his debut season.

The next two seasons saw credible title challenges as they done second to Shamrock Rovers on both occasions however silverware changed into impending in the form of the FAI Cup in 2022.

A comprehensive 4-0 uncover over Shelbourne saw Higgins uncover his first trophy as a manager however that first elusive league championship for the club since 1997 remained out of his take.

This season changed into seen by many because the twelve months that Derry would cease that wait. In spite of retaining second set throughout the season, a stuttering attain left the Candystripes in fourth and outside of European locations for subsequent season.