Dundalk have confirmed the appointment of little-known Italian Filippo Giovagnoli as interim head coach.
Following the dismissal of Vinny Perth last Thursday came the shock news that the 49-year-old was set to take the reins at Oriel Park.
Perth, meanwhile, outlined disagreements with the Dundalk board as the main reason behind his exit.
Giovagnoli and new Lilywhites assistant Giuseppe Rossi worked together at the Metropolitan Oval Youth Academy in New York.
“It’s my first experience at this level but if you know football and know what you are doing, which I believe I do, then for me it’s just a different challenge. I am confident we are going to do a good job," Giovagnoli said.
“It’s a big challenge because I’m in a different country and a lot of people are sceptical but I am not afraid and when I become part of a club, it becomes my family, and if it becomes my family, I will fight really hard to do well.”
Giovagnoli - who has no senior managerial experience - was the technical director of AC Milan camps in the USA and in Italy.
He is a former Italian third-tier footballer and coached the U-19 side of Serie C club AS Gubbio 1910.
Dundalk chairman Bill Hulsizer said: “On behalf of the board of the directors, I’d like to welcome Filippo and Guiseppe to Ireland.
"I apologise for the lack of a personal appearance but it took a pandemic and a quarantine to prevent a member of the board presenting them personally. C’mon The Town!”
Coach John Gill ended his involvement with the reigning Premier Division champions earlier this evening.
"Today I left @DundalkFC," he Tweeted.
"I felt I had no choice given recent events. I am extremely sad it has come to this. I wish the club's staff, players and fans every success in the future."
It remains to be seen if assistant boss Alan Reynolds will remain at the club.
