Jim McIntyre: Cove Rangers appoint former Ross County boss as new manager

Jim McIntyre admits he questioned whether he would get back into management before being appointed Cove Rangers boss on a rolling one-year contract.

McIntyre, who won the League Cup with County, left last club Dundee in 2019.

The opportunity to join Scottish Championship newcomers Cove was "too good to turn down," McIntyre said.

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"It is something I was really interested in and I am delighted they feel I can do the job.

"There were jobs I went for and lost out to - and that is just the way it is. I decided to go and retrain and started my own personal training business. That has been going really well and you do realise there is a life outside football as well.

"Probably in the second year I was at that stage where I was like, 'am I ever going to get back in?'.

"Sometimes these opportunities present themselves when you least expect it. Normally, when you are out of the game for years, it can be very hard to get back in."

'It came down to instinct'

McIntyre, who has appointed Jimmy Boyle as his assistant, has also managed Dunfermline Athletic and Queen of the South.

Cove start their competitive season in the League Cup first round group stage away to Albion Rovers on 12 July. Under Hartley, the Aberdeen side sealed two promotions in three years after moving up from the Highland League to the SPFL in 2019.

Chairman Keith Moorhouse cited McIntyre's experience at Championship level as vital, adding: "It really came down to instinct.

"We are well aware of Jim's history. The fact he has had a few years out of the game has allowed him to recharge his batteries, reflect on what happened in the past and go again, so we see that as a positive."

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