Waterford United have sacked their manager Jimmy McGeough after his two-and-a-half year tenure at the RSC.
"I'm very disappointed considering all we've been through this season. I was hoping that we could keep riding the wave but it wasn't to be," said McGeough on the FAI official website.
The 60-year-old took over following Paul Power's resignation in late 2001 and guided the club to a top half finish in the First Division in his first season.
McGeough then raised the bar in his first full season in charge as Waterford ran away with the first division title to gain promotion back to the premier division. They then consolidated their place in the top division by finishing sixth this season.
McGeough was responsible for nurturing young talent with the likes of Republic of Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper Dan Connor. Neale Fenn also came to prominence and now plays for Cork City.
Off the pitch a restructuring of the coaching staff, which McGeough fully supported, saw much of his control handed over to assistant Giles Cheevers. It was reported during the season that McGeough also endured a difficult relationship with the club's chairman Ger O'Brien.
Waterford United have not commented on McGeough's dismissal though they will hope to appoint a successor before pre-season training begins early in the new year.