Bohemians are searching for a new manager after confirming the departure of Keith Long today.
Long, 48, was the Premier Division's second longest serving manager, having joined the club from Athlone Town in October 2014.
He guided the Gypsies into Europe by finishing third in the 2019 season and then in second in 2021, with the club enjoying an exciting run in the European Conference League qualifiers last summer before reaching the FAI Cup final in November, losing to St Patrick's Athletic on penalties.
READ MORE: Bohemians 1-3 St Pat's: Saints put three past Gypsies in Dalymount
But there was a massive player turnover in the winter and the team has struggled this season. Losing to the Saints on Monday night proved the last straw for the club, however, as the players and backroom staff were loudly booed at half-time and again at full-time.
It was Bohs' third straight loss at Dalymount Park in the League and, after two wins from their last eight fixtures, the sixth-place Gypsies found themselves out of European contention for a second season running although they are in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup.
Current Bohs coaches Trevor Croly and Derek Pender will take temporary charge, but the Phibsboro-based outfit must rally quickly with a clash with bitter rivals Shamrock Rovers, the League's pace-setters, to come at Dalymount on Friday, followed by a trip to second-placed Derry City.
A statement from the club released this afternoon reads: "It is with regret that Bohemian FC has today parted company with men's first team manager Keith Long.
"The board of Bohemian FC wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for Keith's dedication, loyalty and success during his time at the club.
"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.
"Back then, the club was in survival mode, and he was given a mandate to avoid relegation from the Premier Division. He instead led Bohs to a fifth-place finish in a 12-team league in his first season in charge.
"Under Keith's guidance, his then part-time team continued to punch above its weight in the coming seasons, building up a unique rapport with Bohs supporters in the process. Previously almost unheard of, sold-out signs at Dalymount Park became the norm.
"With the club's debts cleared and future secured off the field, Keith progressed the club further on it, nurturing and developing some of the league's youngest talent in the process, and providing a platform for them to fulfil their potential.
"Those efforts reaped reward when his side finished third in 2019 to ensure European football for Bohs for the first time in eight years.
"The team lost out on agonisingly on penalties to Hungarian side Fehervar. But in the league, Keith went one better in 2020, finishing second - the club's highest league finish in a decade.
"That achievement saw Bohemians compete in the Europa Conference League last year - delivering some of the most memorable nights in the Aviva Stadium as Bohs beat Stjarnan, Dudelange and PAOK in the club's most successful European campaign.
"Keith also led Bohemians to our first FAI Cup final in 13 years last season where his side narrowly lost out on penalties to St Patrick's Athletic.
"Keith showed a loyalty to our club that is rare in football, and he can call himself a true Bohemian. He embodies the values of our club and has represented it impeccably throughout his time here.
"As well as the many great nights he delivered over his time in charge, the contribution that he has made in working with the club to build structures and lay foundations for future success cannot be overstated.
"It is with regret that league results this season have fallen short of his aspirations and most committed of efforts.
"We are extremely appreciative for everything he has done for our club over his tenure, and the board of Bohemian FC wish him the very best of luck for the future.
"Trevor Croly and Derek Pender will take charge of the team on an interim basis."
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