Dublin county board chairman Seán Shanley has admitted that he was "shocked" to hear that Jim Gavin had decided to step away from the five-in-a-row All-Ireland winners, and says that continuity is crucial when the new manager is selected.
Speaking to Brian Carthy on RTÉ Radio 1's Sunday Sport, Shanley says he heard the news early on Saturday morning.
"At nine o'clock, maybe half nine, I got a call from (Dublin CEO) John Costello," said Shanley.
"He was after getting a call, and Jim wanted to talk to him. John met Jim, and Jim told him he was stepping aside. 'Handing over the reins' is how he termed it.
"He simply said it was the right time to go, for Dublin. He felt it was the right time for him to go, and leave it to someone else to carry on."
With less than eight weeks to go before Dublin's opening Allianz League clash with Kerry at Croke Park, Shanley says the wheels will be set in motion quickly to find a suitable replacement for Gavin.
The County Board management committee will meet on Monday evening, before three of them will sit down with candidates who have declared an interest in the job.
Former Dublin player, and current RTÉ GAA analyst Ciarán Whelan said that Dessie Farrell was the leading candidate on Saturday.
Asked if he would like to see some of the outgoing management team involved, the likes of Paul Clarke, Jason Sherlock, and Declan Darcy, Shanley said they would be considered.
"I think yes, we would have to talk to them. Maybe it would be the best way of a bit of continuity," he suggested.
"He had a great backroom team. This wasn't the same backroom team that won five in a row. He's chopped and changed one or two new people in every year. I think that's what kept it fresh.
"I would love to see some continuity. I wouldn't like to see the whole lot gone. We'll have to ask them first are they're interested, and see is there one of them prepared to take on as manager."
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