In what will be seen as a big blow to Kerry, coach Paddy Tally is being tipped to become the new Derry football manager.
The position has been vacant for four months since Mickey Harte stepped down and it now seems Tally, who has worked under Harte, will take the role.
If confirmed, the news will come as a blow to Jack O’Connor and Kerry as the Galbally man had been expected to remain part of the Kingdom set-up for a fourth campaign.
Tally has a decorated CV and coached Tyrone when they won their first All-Ireland title in 2003.
He also worked with Down when they reached the All-Ireland final under James McCartan in 2010 before joining Derry as a coach for a period when Brian McIver was in charge.
Tally, who was part of the Tyrone squad that lost the 1995 All-Ireland final to Dublin, also worked with Galway and steered St Mary’s to a Sigerson Cup title before joining O’Connor in Kerry.
Derry are the only county yet to confirm their football management team for 2025 and had been linked with the likes of former Mayo boss James Horan.