Colin Healy has resigned as Cork City manager after three seasons in charge, with the club second from bottom in the Premier Division after 13 games.
The club confirmed news of his departure to RTÉ Sport late on Wednesday and released a statement shortly afterwards.
"Cork City FC wish to confirm that Colin Healy has stepped down as manager of the club's men’s first team," the statement read.
"Following discussions with the club, Colin will leave his role with immediate effect.
"As a player, Colin made over 170 league appearances in two spells with the club before his retirement, winning two FAI Cups and a Setanta Sports Cup.
"After calling time on his playing career, Colin returned to the club as Head of Academy. He was then appointed interim first team manager in 2020, before taking the job full time ahead of the 2021 season.
"Since then, he oversaw the rebuilding of the squad, winning the First Division title and promotion back to the Premier Division in 2022.
"Everyone at the club would like to thank Colin for the contribution he has made to Cork City FC, both as a player and as manager, and wish him every success in the future."
Cork City slipped to their fourth successive loss on Bank Holiday Monday, a 5-0 defeat away to league leaders Bohemians, with Healy afterwards claiming that officials were "killing us".
On Wednesday, Cork unveiled the highly experienced two-time league winning manager Liam Buckley as their new sporting director, though it is understood that Healy's decision to depart was made before this appointment.
Buckley and Liam Kearney will take charge of the team for Friday's league game at home to St Patrick's Athletic, who are also without a manager following the departure of Tim Clancy on Tuesday.
Healy - a Cork native who was capped 13 times for Republic of Ireland during his playing career - was appointed as manager, initially on an interim manager, in October 2020 when the side were already bound for relegation from the top flight.
He was subsequently charged with restoring their Premier Division status, which was achieved at the second time of asking last season, Cork holding off Galway United to win the 2022 First Division.
However, they have endured a difficult return to the top flight, mustering just two wins in their opening 13 matches, home wins against UCD and Dundalk respectively.
They currently sit in the relegation play-off spot, three points clear of UCD.
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