Bohs chiefs are keeping an open mind on their next step after parting ways with Keith Long after almost eight years in the Dalymount Park hot-seat.
Long's desire to turn around what he described as his "first blip" did not convince the club's board that he could do so.
The 48-year-old was let go yesterday following talks, with Monday night's 3-1 defeat to St Pat's - Bohs' third straight home loss in the League - proving the last straw in a campaign that has seen the Gypsies win just eight games from 28 to date.
READ MORE: 'I'm finding things very difficult' - Keith Long's last interview as Bohemians boss
Assistant boss Trevor Croly and Derek Pender have taken temporary charge ahead of Friday night's home clash with Premier Division table-toppers Shamrock Rovers.
With the club's decision makers unsure as yet as to whether to appoint a new boss before the end of the season, the duo may get the chance to continue in that role if they can improve performances - and if they want it.
Long, who was appointed in October 2014, was the second longest serving manager in the Premier Division behind Finn Harps' Ollie Horgan.
He signed a new four-year deal in 2020 and, speaking on Monday night after the Saints loss, he admitted that if results didn't improve then his position could come under pressure, but that he wasn't expecting a "knee-jerk" reaction from Bohs bosses.
However discussions on his future were held yesterday and a statement was released late in the afternoon confirming that Long's tenure was over.
"It is with regret that league results this season have fallen short of his aspirations and most committed of efforts," read a Bohs statement.
Long guided the Gypsies to a third place finish in 2019 and second place in 2020, but despite reaching the FAI Cup final last year - losing to St Pat's on penalties - failure to secure European football last year was a disappointment.
He lost a group of experienced leaders from the dressing-room last season, as well as the top flight's top scorer Georgie Kelly and other top young players such as Ross Tierney, Dawson Devoy and Promise Omochere have followed him out Dalymount's exit door.
Long was handed his biggest budget yet to compensate but European qualification is off the table with the team in sixth place.
"The board of Bohemian FC wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for Keith's dedication, loyalty and success during his time at the club," the statement added.
"When Keith joined Bohemians in October 2014, he joined a club that had a multi-million euro debt and its future existence very much under threat.
"Thanks in no small part to his dedication, Bohemian FC is a very different place to the club he joined nearly eight years ago."
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