Pat Fenlon has resigned as Derry City manager just 18 competitive games into his tenure at the Brandywell.
The Dubliner cited personal reasons although he was also under mounting pressure following less than inspiring performances.
Fenlon, who broke the news to his players at training this morning, said he "regretfully" resigned from his position but declined to elaborate.
"I would like to put on record my thanks to the Board of Derry City FC, the playing staff and all the supporters of the club," he said.
The club, in turn, said it had "regrettably accepted" Fenlon's resignation and thanked him for his efforts.
Defender Peter Hutton, with assistance from Fenlon's right-hand man Anthony Gorman, will assume control of team affairs with immediate effect - Friday's league encounter at UCD their first priority.
It is not the first time Derry have turned to Hutton in a time of crisis. He was appointed caretaker manager prior to Stephen Kenny's appointment in 2004.
"It is our hope that the staff and players will be allowed to prepare for this week's game without undue pressure from any source," the club statement concluded.
Derry, the pre-season title favourites, made an inauspicious start under Fenlon but recent results, noticeably the win over Shamrock Rovers, were marginally more encouraging.
But the FAI Cup holders and league runners-up were unable to build on that success at the weekend when drawing a controversial game against demoralised Longford Town 0-0.
Derry currently lie fifth in the table, a full 11 points off leaders St Patrick's Athletic, having shipped four defeats in the first 11 league games of the campaign.
Having finished second for the last two seasons expectations on Foyleside are at an all-time high - a fact not lost on Fenlon when he accepted the job before Christmas.
Kenny raised the bar before his departure to Dunfermline and Fenlon conceded nothing but a league title would satisfy demanding fans this season.
But despite initial victories confidence quickly spiralled. Three of Derry's four league defeats to date have come at home, one of which was a 1-4 humiliation by Cork City and another a 0-1 defeat to UCD.
Derry chief executive Jim Roddy was informed of Fenlon's decision last night and is scheduled to hold an emergency board meeting to discuss the next steps forward.
Having delivered three titles in four seasons at Shelbourne, Fenlon quit the financially stricken Drumcondra club in December before succeeding Kenny at the Brandywell just days later.
He was always Derry's preferred candidate but was hesitant to accept as it meant relocating his family to the north-west.
Officials assured Fenlon the club's budget would be increased to attract new players and the manager committed to a three-year deal with family relocation to follow down the line.
