Athlone Town manager Adrian Carberry has left the First Division side by mutual agreement.
Carberry had been in charge of the club for close to two years.
The midlands side failed to mount a promotion tilt this year despite increased investment in their squad.
Town are currently eight points behind UCD in the final play-off spot in the second tier.
The Students inflicted a 6-0 defeat on Athlone last week.
Carberry's departure comes following a meeting with the club's board to discuss the team's recent league form and performances.
A club statement read: "It was agreed that the best option for the team at this point in time was for somebody else to take over the reins, for the remainder of the 2021 season.
"ATAFC would like to put on the record its thanks and appreciation to Adrian for all his hard work, especially when it came to trying to coach a team in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"The club fully acknowledges Adrian's commitment to the position, and his strong desire to return the club to its glory days.
"Unfortunately, from everybody's perspective things did not work out as we all would have liked.
"The club wishes Adrian, a former player and a local Athlone man, and his family the very best for the future.
"ATAFC will now begin its search for a replacement head coach."
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