Waterford boss Keith Long departs club 

EXIT DOOR: Former Waterford manager Keith Long during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Waterford and Sligo Rover. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Waterford boss Keith Long has departed the club with immediate effect. 

Pressure had been building at the RSC on the back of a string of defeats and their four-nil loss to Sligo Rovers on Friday evening has proved to be the last straw as Long's departure was confirmed in a statement by the club on Saturday morning. 

The loss to Sligo - which lifted John Russell's men off the foot of the table - was the Blues' sixth-straight loss in the Premier Division, and with a basement battle with fellow strugglers Cork City to come on Monday, Waterford owner Jamie Pilley has taken "necessary" action. 

Pilley said: “I’d like to thank Keith for his efforts and commitment over the past two years at Waterford Football Club.

“He will be fondly remembered by all at the club for his role in returning the club to the Premier Division and this decision wasn’t one which was taken easily.

“However, the recent run of results meant it was necessary for a change. We now plan to take our time to ensure we find the right man to move the club forward.”

The former Bohemians boss joined the Blues in 2023, and won promotion to the Premier Division.

The club stated that they will issue a further update on the first team staff in due course.