JIM McGUINNESS has once again got Donegal winning matches to the point that they’ve qualified for another All-Ireland final.
They will battle Kerry for Sam Maguire on July 27 just like they did in the 2014 decider which they lost by 2-9 to 0-12.
Here, SunSport delves into his life beyond Gaelic football:
WIFE AND KIDS
He’s been in a relationship with fellow Donegal native Yvonne since meeting all the way back in 2002.
The setting for their first encounter was the Croke Park players’ lounge after Donegal had been dumped out of the Championship at the quarter-final stages by Dublin.
Jim once recalled to The Sunday Independent: “Yvonne had been going out with this guy but had split up with him that summer.
“And her mother was going ‘And what about Jim McGuinness?’ And what about Jim McGuinness?’ Yvonne was sick of it, replying ‘Will you just shut your mouth about Jim McGuinness! Why are you talking about him? I’ve never even met him!’”
“Anyway, we’re in the players’ lounge in Croke Park after losing to Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final and this woman – her mother – calls me over.
“And (Yvonne) turned around, and I turned around, and that was it. So I owe her mother a lot too.”
Her brother is ex-Donegal sharpshooter Colm McFadden who was a key part of their panel during McGuinness’ first stint in charge.
Jim and Yvonne have six children, three boys and three girls with two of the girls being twins.
SOCCER COACHING CAREER
At the peak of his powers in Gaelic football, McGuinness was tempted away to pursue a coaching career in soccer when Celtic approached him in 2014 with a full-time role.
He was initially brought onboard at Parkhead as a performance consultant in 2012 before being installed as one of the Scottish giants’ youth coaches.
The 52-year-old was clearly well thought of as he rose up the rankings to ultimately become assistant manager of their Under-20s.
His soccer path surprisingly diverted to China in 2017 when he took on the assistant manager role at Chinese Super League side Beijing Sinobo Guoan.
Due to the culture shock of living in Asia though, his family never fully settled there and he opted to depart six months later.
His next move was almost as much of a left-field choice, however, as he took the top job at MLS outfit Charlotte Independence.
He only lasted six months there though before being relieved of his duties in June 2019.
DAY JOB
His day job isn’t entirely clear as he isn’t on LinkedIn.
But he dabbles in professional speaking arrangements as he can be booked via personallyspeaking.com.
In addition to his exploits in Gaelic Games and soccer, his profile also emphasizes that he assisted Paul McGinley in his successful Ryder Cup captaincy of 2014.
