Could Dave Rogers swap Nottingham Forest for Finn Harps?

Nottingham Forest Under-23 assistant head coach Dave Rogers has emerged as a leading candidate to become the next Finn Harps manager.

A former League of Ireland player, Rogers has been working with Forest since 2021.

The 47-year-old previously worked with Liverpool FC's academy.

Harps have been on the hunt for a successor to Ollie Horgan following his departure last month after nine years at the helm.

At the club's AGM on Sunday, chairperson Ian Harkin indicated that an announcement would be made within a week.

Dave Rogers during his time at Derry City. Photo: North West Newspix 

Donegal Live understands that a press conference to formally unveil the new manager could take place on Friday. The club is keeping their cards close to the chest.

Shareholders at Sunday's AGM heard that there were almost 50 applicants 'from all over Europe'. The club's Board whittled those down to ten before a shortlist of three was drawn up.

While his name wasn't initially touted, Rogers' candidacy seems to have gathered traction in the last week.

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As a player, Rogers - whose family is based in Dundalk, won three League of Ireland Premier Division titles with Shelbourne.

He also had spells at Derry City, St Patrick's Athletic, Dundalk, Cork City , Limerick, Monaghan United, Drogheda United and Bohemians.

Liverpool-born Rogers won a Scottish Division 1 title with Dundee in 1997 and in 2007 was a team-mate of Kevin McHugh, who is now Head of Academy at Harps, at Derry City.

Rogers was employed by Liverpool FC as a lead coach for their international academy before taking up a role as Academy Manager of the club's residential academy in India. He filled a similar role in South Korea after a stint as assistant manager of India's national team.