Ruaidhri Higgins is the clear front runner for the Derry City job after Declan Devine’s “bonkers” departure this morning.
Stephen Kenny’s chief scout and opposition analyst for the Republic of Ireland could be appointed as early as tonight or tomorrow morning.
And Kevin Sheedy and his assistant Mike Newell appeared to be on the brink at Waterford following another seismic day at the RSC, when they did not take training.
But a Waterford statement this evening denied a local media report that Sheedy was gone after five defeats in six.
It read: "Kevin Sheedy would like to refute the baseless rumour that he and Mike Newell have resigned from their positions with the Club. They are both committed to the club and look forward to the visit of Longford Town FC on Saturday next."
But while the Ireland legend is clinging to his job for now, the bottom-of-the-table Candystripes are ready to appoint a new manager after axing Devine.
Jim Magilton has described Devine’s exit after just six games as “bonkers”, but effectively ruled him out of the vacant Dundalk job.
The Lilywhites’ sporting director instead urged his pal to take time out from football and take stock before seeking a return.
Magilton was in the Dundalk dugout for their 1-1 draw at Derry last Tuesday, in what was Devine’s last game.
He said today: “The madness of football, I came in this morning and Declan has lost his job. It’s bonkers this game, it's crazy, you can't write the script.”
But asked if Devine could pitch up at Dundalk, ex-QPR and Ipswich boss Magilton said: “I think we've got to give him a breather.
“Declan has just been hit with a massive blow and when you're a manager who has lost your job it’s a reflection time.”
Derry City chairman Philip O’Doherty met Devine this morning for face-to-face talks before wielding the axe.
"It was the right decision for both of us,” said O’Doherty. “He's tried his best but we've got two points out of 18 and that's weighing on Declan as well.
“We're pretty much in a relegation dogfight after six games and that’s not where we want to be.”
O’Doherty added: “We're looking to get the next manager on board very, very quickly because we have a massive game on Saturday."
Mirror Sport understands that former Derry City midfielder Higgins is the preferred choice to succeed Devine and is set to be appointed within the next 24-hours.
In a statement, Devine said he was proud to have managed Derry City on two occasions.
"Unfortunately recent results have not been what they should have and I'm the first to accept the professional game is all about winning," he said.
Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was surprised to see Devine go and said: “It’s not nice to see anyone lose their job.
“From watching their games beforehand and when we played them up there, you get a feel for a team and its players.
“You know if the dressing room is not there with the manager and I felt anything but that. I left there last week thinking they were still with him.”
Meanwhile, Magilton claims that CVs are landing in Oriel Park from across the world.
He said: “It's amazing. It's like Postman Pat, everything is flying into me and then we've got to sift through it. Everything is getting filtered to the chairman and the directors.”
But Magilton confirmed that the next appointment would be a pro licence holder - to avoid the chaos of recent months.
“It’ll definitely be safe to say that. Or Niall O’Regan (FAI head of coaching) will, without any shadow of a doubt, hunt me down. He’ll become Liam Neeson and I will be found.”
