There has been major change at St Patrick's Athletic with the club announcing it's decision to part ways with manager Jon Daly.
The League of Ireland confirmed that Daly has been relieved of his position in a statement released on Tuesday, just hours after Monday night’s defeat to Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds.
The defeat - their seventh of the campaign - leaves the Saints seventh in the Premier Division table after 15 games.
The Inchicore side is nine points adrift of league leaders Shelbourne and only four points clear of the relegation playoff spot.
St Patrick's Athletic can confirm that Jon Daly has been relieved of his duties as First Team Manager.
Chairman Garrett Kelleher said:
“We would like to thank Jon for his time at the club, and in particular our FAI Cup success at The Aviva last November. We wish Jon the very… pic.twitter.com/plwV1lyxEU— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) May 7, 2024
In the statement, Saints chairman Garrett Kelleher thanked Daly for the 12 months that he spent with the club and wished him “the very best for the future.”
The club has quickly turned its attention to Daly's successor with one man reportedly standing out above the rest in Dublin 8.
St Pat's reportedly identify Stephen Kenny as top target
Former Ireland manager Stephen Kenny is said to be the top candidate at Richmond Park, according to the Irish Examiner.
The outlet has reported that Kenny, who was let go by the FAI back in November of last year, has been "sounded out" by the reigning FAI Cup champions.
13 October 2023; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny reacts after the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
It is not the first time Kenny - who managed Ireland for three-and-a-half years - has been linked with a return to the dugout.
The Dubliner was already touted for potential returns to Bohemians and Dundalk when their respective managerial vancancies emerged earlier this season.
Kenny's first gig in management came with St Pat's back in 1997, before he moved on to Longford Town.
He built a strong reputation in Irish soccer - notably winning a match in the Europa League with his dominant Dundalk in 2016 - before landing the role of Ireland U21 boss and subsequently the top job in the country.
Gaining Kenny's signature would be a huge coup for St Pat's as they look to reignite their faltering championship challenge.
However, it is also reported by the Irish Examiner that Kenny still harbours ambitions of working outside of Ireland, with Plymouth Argyle previously linked to the 52-year-old.
Kenny previously managed in Scotland when he took the reins at Dunfermline in 2006 but would depart in December of 2007.
