Derek Pender is officially in charge of Bohemians tonight for a second interim spell as he aims to lead the club to a positive result against Derry City in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division.
Pat Fenlon, director of football at Bohs, was named at the helm after the departure of Declan Devine last Sunday.
But Bohs have clarified the situation and Fenlon remains in his director of football role, with Trevor Croly assisting Pender.
Derry are flying high after a very positive start to the season - the only negative is a string of mostly minor injuries. Their unbeaten run has been efficient and bodes well for a title challenge.
Shamrock Rovers go in search of their first victory of the season at the fifth time of asking when they face Galway United.
The Tribesmen have been very solid on their return to the top flight and will be pleased with their points return early on.
However their record against the Hoops is pitiful, losing the last 20 meetings in a row.
Tonight will definitely be one of the strongest Galway sides the champions have faced in a long time.
Stephen Bradley will be keen for his team to take three points when some of the other fancied sides in the league have more difficult games.
That includes the meeting of St Patrick’s Athletic and Shelbourne at Richmond Park.
The Saints did enough to beat Dundalk last week to steady the ship following a third loss of the year.
Damien Duff is trying to keep expectations low after another pleasing victory over a Dublin rival last week; they dug out a 2-0 win at Bohs.
A win in Richmond Park would only add to talk at a tilt at the title.
Meanwhile Dundalk are in desperate needs of points even at this stage of the season as Waterford FC visit Oriel Park.
Having lost their first two home games 7-0 on aggregate, Stephen O’Donnell needs to show the natives that results have been deceiving thus far.
The Blues were well beaten in Derry last week but will feel they can fare better in this away encounter.
Bohemians v Derry City, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Behind the scenes the Bohemians hierarchy are plotting their future under a new manager, with Fenlon key to the appointment.
The international break will give them a two-week period to focus on it but first comes another league game to try and lift the mood in Phibsborough.
Interim boss Pender said it has been a difficult week for the Bohs players but believes they can finish it on a high.
Pender said: "I know my role, and I know what I have to do to get the players lifted this week and get them looking forward to the next game after what was a very tough week for everybody involved, particularly everybody who has been involved for the last 18 months with Declan.
"It's never nice to see anybody lose their job but especially for somebody who is such a good person, and who was such a popular person around the club, and with the players and staff. He brought a lot of new players in too, so it was a bit of a shock to them as well.
"So, naturally, it was tough for everyone in training on Monday and Tuesday but, as players and as professionals, you’re gonna have to look forward. That’s really part of our game. You’re always on borrowed time if things aren’t going your way.
"It’s really unfortunate and we’re all hurt and gutted for Declan (Devine). We all know that football is never guaranteed for any of us. As a player, you could go out and get injured on a Friday night and your season’s over or you lose a game and you could lose your job as a coach, manager or assistant manager.
"Every week in this league this year is really really tough. Every team is strong and I think, over the course of the season, you’ll see mad results. Everybody can beat anybody, and that’s what we have to want to do against Derry.
"I certainly believe we are well capable of doing that with the group that we have here. We will make one of two changes, and we know that we need everyone playing to their maximum to get a positive result."
Keith Buckley and Rob Cornwall (both knee) remain out, Martin Miller (knee) is a doubt, while James McManus (foot) is close to a return.
The first job for Bohs will be to stop Patrick Hoban who has made a blistering start to life in the Ryan McBride Brandywell with six goals in five matches.
Manager Ruaidhri Higgins feels it should be good viewing and warned his side they must be wary of the response to Devine’s exit.
He said: "We’ve a decent record at Dalymount and it’s a venue we enjoy playing at, however unless we approach the game properly and put in a committed performance then we won’t get a favourable result.
"There’s usually always a reaction and a bit of a bounce when team’s change manager as well, but it’ll be up to us to deal with that.
"Games between the teams have usually been entertaining affairs in the past and it’s one we’re looking forward to."
Michael Duffy, Adam O’Reilly and Will Patching are doubts for Derry.
Cameron Dummigan is set to return after the break and Patrick McEleney is fit again.
Galway United v Shamrock Rovers, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7.45pm
These are the occasions Galway United supporters have missed as the champions come to down.
In the First Division wilderness for six years, Eamonn Deacy Park will have over 3,000 fans present for the third game in succession.
This one could well be biggest given how well United have adapted to life in the Premier.
The 0-0 draw with Drogheda United was frustrating and also a reminder of how tough it will be each week.
There will be no need for a refresh on what Shamrock Rovers can do, however.
The record of 47 home games and five wins says it all.
United midfielder Conor McCormack said: "We know Shamrock Rovers have great talent throughout their squad. They are serial winners. They had a bit of a slow start but they did that last year so it's no problem to them. All the lads know what they have to do"
Hoops boss Stephen Bradley has been speaking of the admiration he has for John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan in the opposition dugout.
Caulfield had the better of Bradley during the Roscommon man’s days with Cork City during the early stages of the tenure of the Shamrock Rovers boss.
"We’re coming up against a manager who has won everything domestically and an assistant manager who’s been around the game a long time and who knows the league inside out. They are two people that I have a lot of respect for.
"John’s Cork team were a top team, one of the best in the country that we’ve seen, so I’ve nothing but respect for John. We know what we’re going to face, we know what they’re very good at, so we have to respect what Galway are good at. So if we do that we’ll be ok. It’s a tough game but I feel we’re ready for it."
Gary O’Neill is out with a foot problem. Jack Byrne could make his first appearance of the season.
Aaron McEneff and Seán Kavanagh remain out for a few more weeks. Trevor Clarke is back.
St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
It wasn't long ago that St Patrick’s Athletic would be considered by favourites for a home game with Shelbourne.
Damien Duff’s men are a different side now and have already defeated Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers so far.
The Dublin treble is in sight in their sixth match of the campaign.
It has been an unconvincing opening to the season for Pat’s and as a result they find themselves seven points behind Shels.
It’s fair to say there is more pressure on the home side going into this one.
Manager Jon Daly is hoping to make it two wins on the bounce.
He said: "We are looking forward to the game and will be aiming to put in a positive performance as we look to build on the win against Dundalk.
"It was a good three points for us and will give us confidence heading into this Friday, it's a game we'll be well prepared for.
"It will be a very tough battle against a Shelbourne side who have started the season really well, they are flying at the moment and have been winning games and playing well.
"As always the home support is a huge help to us, and we will really need it again on Friday.
"Richmond Park will be bouncing so we're looking forward to it."
Tom Grivosti (knee and hamstring) remains out. Romal Palmer is not yet ready while Ryan McLaughlin (calf) will miss also out.
Duff has a near full strength squad to choose from. Shane Griffin is closing in on a return but not for this fixture.
Shels midfielder Mark Coyle has mirrored his manager following last week's win in Dalymount and played down their rise to the head of the table.
He is wary of coming unstuck in Dublin 8.
"It’ll be a tough encounter, they’ll be right up for it, Pats had a good win against Dundalk. Every game they’ve played hasn’t been many goals. They looked dogged and organised definitely, over the games we’ve played against them since I’ve been here, set pieces have played a massive part. We need to be on it. Try to impose ourselves on them, bring what we have to the table."
"We’ve had a decent start but it’s too early in the season to think we’ve done something. Pats are a very dangerous side. Lots of quality and if we’re any way off it we know we won’t get a result."
The game will be a sellout in Richmond Park including over 1,100 Shels supporters.
Dundalk v Waterford FC, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Stephen O'Donnell is not shying away from criticism ahead of a big night at Oriel Park.
Having seen Bohemians lost faith with Declan Devine, O’Donnell knows the realities of football management despite his early achievements in the dugout.
In an ultra competitive division so far Dundalk have learned the hard way that starting matches slowly will leave you at the bottom of the table.
It was an improved display against Pat’s following the capitulation against Sligo.
O’Donnell knows the result is all-important for this game: "If you lose games, you know there’s going to be a reaction from supporters and I understand that. We know it’s up to us to get the fans back onside. Good results get fans enthusiastic and get fans engaged and until we start producing results we can’t have any complaints.
"I can totally understand the criticism of the last week but, ultimately, the only things that can get supporters engaged are victories and results and that’s ultimately my remit and we’ll be leaving no stone unturned to achieve that against Waterford on Friday night.
"We’re playing a newly-promoted team but I don’t think you’re expected to beat any team in this league this season. I don’t think the landscape is like that. I think you’ve a couple of teams at the top and then everyone else can beat each other – and rightly feel that they can beat each other.
"We know we need a win tonight before we go into the international break. We’ve trained accordingly and we’re looking to get that win at Oriel Park on Friday."
Andy Boyle, George Shelvey, Jamie Walker and Dara Keane are doubtful for the home side but Mayowa Animasahun returns to the squad after missing the game last week due to concussion protocols.
Darragh Leahy misses the game for Waterford due to suspension after receiving a red card against Derry City last week. Darragh Power (hamstring) also misses out after picking up a first-half injury at the Brandywell last Friday.
Watch Galway United v Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland on Friday from 7.35pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app
