manager Paul Millar. McDonald almost left the club when he heard that Roy Walker was appointed new manager, but due to not having UEFA badges, McDonald stepped in and was appointed manager. Managerial career In June 2007 he became manager of Glentoran in his native Belfast, where he stayed for three seasons, guiding the club to the IFA Premiership title in 2008–09. He also coached his country's under-21 side. After McDonald was appointed manager of Glentoran, he started to bring in new faces. He signed Dungannon Swifts winger David Scullion along with Rory Hamill. McDonald also brought in young promising players, including Daryl Fordyce, Philip Carson, Matty Burrows, and Shane McCabe. He also added goalkeeper Michael Dougherty as backup to Elliott Morris, and brought in Hearts defender Johnny Taylor. In his first full season as manager of the East Belfast club, McDonald led Glentoran to win the County Antrim Shield over Crusaders. In McDonald's second season, he led the club to become Irish Premiership champions after four years. During his second season McDonald continued to bring in new faces, after selling Michael Dougherty, McDonald brought in Dundela keeper James Taylor. In his third season in charge McDonald started by signing former Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie and Newry City player Richard Clarke. But Glentoran went on a losing streak, and after a 6–0 home defeat to Coleraine, fans turned against McDonald and calling for him to resign. McDonald stayed on until his side lost 2–0 to Dungannon Swifts F.C. and McDonald resigned after the game. McDonald did not manage since resigning from Glentoran, although he was linked with the Ballymena United manager's job following the resignation of Roy Walker. McDonald also owned a trophy shop in Bangor. Death On the morning of 23 June 2012, McDonald collapsed and died while playing golf at Temple Golf and Country Club near Lisburn in County Antrim. The IFA posted a short statement on its official website – "The Irish FA is saddened by this morning's news of the sudden death of Alan McDonald. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. We are deeply shocked at the death of Alan, who won over 50 caps for Northern Ireland. To die at such a young age is terrible." Former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy described himself as "shellshocked" and said Norman Whiteside was "devastated." QPR posted a message on www.qpr.co.uk which read: "Queens