Rooney 'proud to set the foundations' at Larne

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Former Larne manager Nathan Rooney says he is proud of the part he played in laying the foundations for the club to prosper in the future and wished everyone at the club "a successful onward journey".

Rooney parted ways with the Inver Park club in August after guiding them through two rounds of qualifying in the Uefa Conference League, before losing on aggregate to Portuguese side Santa Clara.

His shock departure came just one game into the Irish League domestic season and after he had been reinstalled to the job in the summer.

The Englishman had been chosen as Tiernan Lynch's successor after the former Larne boss took up a new position as Derry City boss last November but the ex-Bruno's Magpies manager had to hand over the reins to assistant Gary Haveron after it was revealed that he did not hold the appropriate coaching licence to lead the club in European competition.

He temporarily became Larne's head of football but returned to take over the manager's post after enrolling on a Uefa Pro Licence course.

Haveron has occupied the position of interim manager since Rooney left by mutual consent and his team sit second in the Irish Premiership table after a run of six consecutive wins with six clean sheets.

"I leave my role as Head coach of Larne FC with a warm heart, proud of the recent successes and the introduction of a new brand of football that has already delivered excellent results," said Rooney in a personal statement.

"Over the past eleven months the players and technical staff have shown nothing but grit and determination, highlighted by some unforgettable results in Europe this summer against top opposition.

"Their spirit carried us through some difficult moments, including a challenging start last season, before finishing strongly to secure second place."

Rooney says the groundwork done in the summer paved the way for the club's positive start to the season.

"We went into the summer full of ambition, with a clear vision to bring the club back to where it belongs, and optimism remained high thanks to two key signings, a run of excellent performances and positive financial and commercial progress.

"Although I will not be at the club to see all of that work fully come to fruition, I am deeply proud to have set the foundations. I believe this season's targets will be met as the team now has the structure, style and mindset to succeed.

"To the players, staff and supporters, I wish you every success on the next stage of your journey under new leadership. Keep playing the right way - with humility, hard work, and joy - and never take a single day in this game for granted."