Ian Morris has been appointed as the new manager of Waterford FC.
Morris guided Shels to the First Division title this season and replaces Marc Bircham after his shock departure on the eve of the promotion-relegation play-off.
The Blues were relegated after a defeat to UCD.
Morris left Shels by mutual consent despite going straight back to the top flight. He was in charge of the Dublin side when they went down in 2020.
The former Bohemians player will now bid to make it successive promotions as he joins the First Division outfit.
He won the the PFAI First Division Manager of the Year award this year.
Morris said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I’ve done a lot of background work since I got the call. I spoke to the owner and the chairman, and we’ve had numerous calls and meetings over the last few days.
"We really got to the core of everything, there was no stone left unturned about the club and its running. Everything has been really positive from them so we’re starting off in the right way.
"I’m here to build and I’m here to bring success. I’m really driven and I’m going to give everything I can to the club.
"I’m working on tying down the players we want to keep, getting straight into recruitment, and speaking to players so it’s a case of who our targets are and who we can identify to get the best possible squad to get the club back up. That’s the aim, that’s the goal and that’s what I’m coming in for."
Morris is in no doubts about his decision to join the club despite off-the-field turmoil last season.
"I’ve done my homework on the club and the facilities are one of the best in the country. I’ve spoken to a lot of players and ex-managers to see what they had to say about it; the fans, the stadium, the atmosphere that’s created when the club is doing well – I know once the city gets behind the team it can be an absolute fortress and that’s a massive draw for me.
"The ambition is there from the owner and at board level and they want to drive forward and get the club really flying in the right direction."
