DERRY City go in search of their sixth manager in 10 years, after Kenny Shiels was sacked at the weekend.
After a board meeting on Saturday morning it's believed that club chairman Philip O'Doherty informed Shiels that he no longer was City boss.
The Brandywell men are likely to make a quick appointment as the likes of Rory Hale, Jamie McDonagh, Aaron McEneff and Darren Cole to name but four of a host of players who are out of contract.
It's believed that Northern Ireland U21 boss Ian Baraclough has emerged as an early contender to fill the hot seat.
Baraclough has already had success in the League of Ireland with Sligo Rovers, but it's believed that he's very close to signing a new deal to stay on as N Ireland U21 boss.
Former Derry boss Declan Devine has also been mentioned in a return to his home town club.
Currently a Performance Coach with the IFA, Devine is thought to be interested in getting back into the full-time management side of the game, while ex-Cliftonville manager Gerard Lyttle, who's contract wasn't renewed at Sligo Rovers, would relish to get back into the management game quickly.
Former Donegal GAA manager Jim McGuinness, who only a few months ago was believed to be in the running for the Galway United job, may also be in the reckoning.
Derry's Irish League neighbours Institute are having a good season on the their return to the Premier Division.
Their manager Paddy McLaughlin, who also dawned the Candy Stripes jersey as a player, certainly would be a contender, however he doe not have the necessary coaching badges, which are needed to manage a League of Ireland club.
Shiels' three-year rein in truth had to come to an end especially after Friday night's 5-0 drubbing at St Patrick's Athletic.
After having two fantastic seasons as gaffer, where Shiels guided Derry to secure Europa League football, he also had to guide his squad through a terrible period, probably the most tragic thing to happen to the club, after skipper Ryan McBride died last year.
Unfortunately the 2018 campaign has been horrendous and his recruitment especially this season has been another major factor in his departure.
Since May, Derry have only picked up 16 points from a possible 69 on offer and they suffered 17 defeats in 23 games.
The only plus point during that period was Derry winning the EA Sports Cup, their first piece of silverware in six years, but it was his side's lack of defending all season, which didn't help matters as they conceded 70 league goals.
The writing was always on the wall for Shiels when crowds at the recently named Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium started to dwindle.
The small loyal number that remained were starting to call for his head.
