[2] Despite winning two Irish Cups in three years, the club highlighted deteriorating league positions and performances as the main reason for his dismissal.
Patterson took temporary charge of The Reds on 22 July 2005, when former manager Liam Beckett walked out, and was officially confirmed as Cliftonville boss on 11 October 2006.
During the January transfer window, Patterson re-signed two former players, Chris Scannell, who had been away in Australia for just over a year, and Barry Johnston, from Coleraine.
Defenders David McAlinden, the son of a Cliftonville legend, arrived from Glenavon F.C., and Barry Holland joined his brother Mark after leaving Bangor F.C.
After the disappointment of losing the CIS Cup final 1–0 to city rivals Glentoran F.C., his side went on to win the County Antrim Shield in January 2007 by defeating Lisburn Distillery F.C.
They won the County Antrim Shield and reached the Irish Cup final, 30 years since their previous victory in the competition.
Alas it was not to be a victorious occasion with the Reds losing out to their near neighbours Crusaders FC, 1–0 who had waited 41 years to taste Irish Cup Success.
Patterson returned to Irish League football after being appointed manager of East Belfast club Glentoran on 22 February 2012.
Glentoran kicked off the new season with a 3–1 win over Donegal Celtic, and finished it with a convincing 3–1 victory over his former club Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final.