Cork City have parted company with manager Neale Fenn after a poor string of results which has left the club on the verge of relegation.
The Turners Cross club are rooted to the bottom of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, and with just five games to go have split with Fenn, who took charge of the club in August 2019.
In a statement, Cork say there has been a "mutual agreement with Neale Fenn which will see him step down from his role as first-team manager with immediate effect" and assistant manager Joe Gamble has also departed.
The Leesiders have won only two games all season and with eight defeats in what has been a truncated season, they find themselves two points below second-from-bottom Finn Harps.
Cork take on Bohemians on Friday evening and Colin Healy, who is currently in charge of the club's academy, will take charge for that game and for the rest of the season.
Fenn, who had a successful spell as Longford Town manager, took over from John Cotter in 2019 with the club in a relegation scrap and managed to steer them to safety.
This week has brought further turmoil at the club, with Daire O'Connor released on Monday due to Fenn saying he wouldn't have many opportunities to play.
That was despite starting the midfielder against St Patrick's Athletic 48 hours earlier, before substituting him midway through the first half.
It was also announced that FORAS, the supporters' trust who own Cork City, will meet later this month to decide whether to sell the club to a company owned by Preston North End owner Trevor Hemmings.
Fenn said he will be watching on as Cork battle to avoid to the drop: "I'm disappointed to be leaving the club earlier than expected.
"I’d like to thank my backroom team and the club’s staff for all their help over the last year and also the fans who welcomed me back to the club last year with open arms.
"It’s been a very difficult season for all League of Ireland clubs and I wish Cork City FC all the best for the remainder of the season and will be keeping a very close eye on the last five games."
Chairman Declan Carey claimed Fenn's work will pay dividends in the long run.
He added: "On behalf of the board, I'd like to thank Neale for his service and commitment to the club over the last year. He has helped us bring about major structural changes which will benefit the club long term and for that, we are grateful.
"Sadly, this year has had a number of impactful events which have derailed a lot of our plans.
"We are now in a battle to stay in the division. There are 15 points to play for and we hope now that that everyone will band together for what will be a hugely important three-week period for the whole club."
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