Micheal Donoghue has stepped down as Galway hurling manager after four seasons in charge.
The announcement on local radio station Galway Bay FM comes as a shock with Donoghue expected to remain at the helm for another term.
Donoghue took over the county reins in 2015 after Anthony Cunningham was give a vote of no confidence from his players.
And after losing a 2016 All-Ireland semi-final by a single point to eventual winners Tipperary, the Clarinbridge man led Galway to their first Liam McCarthy Cup since 1988 the following year.
2018 saw them retain their Leinster title and reach another decider only to come up just short against Limerick in the All-Ireland final.
But they were the shock fall guys from the Leinster round-robin stage this year as a final round defeat to Dublin saw the Tribesmen crash out.
Donoghue said: "After four seasons, we feel the time is now right to hand on the opportunity to a new management team."
Galway County Chairman Pat Kearney told RTÉ Sport that the announcement "came as a surprise", and said "hopefully by the 1st of October we'll have a man in place."
He added: "I want to publicly acknowledge, on behalf of all involved in Galway GAA, Micheál's contribution, and that of his selectors and backroom team, since taking up the post."
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