Noel King is to depart his role as Dundalk manager just over three weeks after taking over at Oriel Park.
The 67-year-old took over as boss after a disastrous start to the season saw Stephen O'Donnell sacked with the club winless from their first eight league games.
King was announced as his permanent replacement on April 20, to much surprise in League of Ireland spheres - and even to King himself.
Dundalk have now confirmed that King will step aside with immediate effect due to medical reasons.
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Noel King to step down as Dundalk manager after only three weeks in charge
6 May 2024; Dundalk manager Noel King reacts during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Drogheda United and Dundalk at Weavers Park in Drogheda, Louth. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, Dundalk confirmed Noel King's departure due to medical reasons and said:
We would like to thank Noel for his time with the club and we wish him and his family all the best in the future.
The process of recruiting a new manager will begin immediately. The club will not be making any further comment at this time.
Dundalk also confirmed that Liam Burns would take charge of Friday night's home game against league leaders Shamrock Rovers. Head of Football Operations Brian Gartland had taken over as interim boss after O'Donnell's departure, but Gartland's departure from the club was confirmed on Monday, summing up a chaotic and miserable start to the season for the club.
Noel King brought Dundalk their first win of the League of Ireland season in his very first game in charge, a shock 2-0 win over Bohs last month. Things have not greatly improved since then, however, and a 0-0 draw against Shelbourne was followed by successive defeats to Drogheda United and Waterford.
Dundalk remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points, six adrift of local rivals Drogheda. After last Friday's 2-0 defeat to Waterford, the Dundalk Supporters Club (the 1903) wrote an open letter to club owner Brian Ainscough calling for King to be removed as manager.
— The 1903 (@dfcsc1903) May 11, 2024
King now departs after just four games in charge. This marked the Dubliner's fifth spell in management in the men's League of Ireland, and he also spent two games in charge of the Irish national team on an interim basis in 2013.
All at Balls.ie wish Noel King good health.
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