Liam Buckley says he tried everything to convince Colin Healy to stay on as Cork City boss in a tumultous 24 hours on Leeside.
On Wednesday, 63-year-old Buckley was announced as the club's new sporting drector, tasked with, according to a club statement, "supporting management on all football-related matters".
That night, news broke that manager Colin Healy had resigned from his post.
Buckley acknowledged there may be a perception that his arrival had been against Healy's wishes, but he stressed that the former Republic of Ireland international had his mind made up to leave in the wake of Friday night's 5-0 thumping at the hands of Bohemians.
He also confirmed he will be part of the process to identify Healy's replacement.
Buckley, assistant boss Richie Holland and academy coach Liam Kearney will take care of the team for Friday night's home clash with St Pat's, who are also managerless following Tim Clancy's exit.
"The immediate plan is myself and guys [Holland and Kearney] will look after this weekend," said Buckley.
"All I can say is, I've been appointed by the owner Dermot Usher as a sporting director. That's what my remit is, that's what my job is, that's what I'm coming down to Cork for.
"It's just unfortunate that Colin has left. I'd have liked him to stay. I asked him to stay. I said, 'I want to be able to support you, I'm coming down to support the manager/coach'. But ultimately it was his decision."
Expanding on discussions he had with Healy on Wednesday, Buckley added: "I rang Colin myself and I had a chat with him. I'd have loved to have him back here, bearing in mind he got the First Division Manager of the Year last year and I presented the trophy to him.
"He's a talented manager, he's put a great squad of players together, he's won the league here. It won't be the first or last time he'll go through a little bit of a sticky wicket. I've had that myself. You just have to get through it or whatever.
"It's just unfortunate we don't have him. I'd have liked him to be here, because it would make life a lot easier, but look, it's a challenge now for us to try and regroup... try and get a team out on Friday, get them motivated, get a performance and get the crowd and fans to get us back where we belong. It's not at the bottom end of the table.
"From Colin's point of view, I've been there. It's a lonely job let me tell you when it's not going so well. When it's going well, it's the best job in the world."
Cork are second bottom in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table after a difficult start to the campaign.
They will look to bring in reinforcements when the transfer window officially opens on 1 July, though Buckley also talked up the potential of Cork's youthful squad.
"I've no problem with the quality looking at them training," he said.
"There's a lot of quality players here. The one thing they are lacking is experience. There's plenty of potential for us to work with. I'd be excited about working with them because I do see improvement in them, I do see there's potential to get them better.
"I'd have loved to have worked with Colin and just given him that support to potentially get through this crisis. It wasn't to be so we just have to move on. Should Colin ever come back I'm sure he'll be welcome any time. He is a legend.
"He's had a great career - great fellah, lovely, well-mannered guy. The best of him is still to come please God."
Watch Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians in the League of Ireland live on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport
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Watch Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians in the League of Ireland live on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport
