Waterford eye Ciarán Kilduff but don't expect to fill vacancy before Saturday fixture 

Kilduff, 37, informed relevant parties at Dundalk of his decision to leave on Thursday morning

Former Dundalk head coach Ciarán Kilduff is being looked at as a viable head coach option by Waterford FC. Pic: Morgan Treacy/Inpho

Ciarán Kilduff has quit as Dundalk manager after just a year as the First Division title winners plunge deeper into crisis.

However, he’s not expected to fill the permanent vacancy at Waterford before this Saturday’s concluding fixture against Galway United.

Dundalk’s majority shareholder John Temple is digging in amid pressure to relinquish his 65% stake but the boardroom standoff left the Lilywhites boss in limbo.

He’s been unable to retain out-of-contract players or sign recruits. The uncertainty financial picture also delayed a decision on whether to switch to a daytime training schedule, derailing planning for their 2026 return to the Premier Division.

Kilduff, 37, informed relevant parties of his decision to leave on Thursday morning.

Waterford, who could end up contesting a playoff to preserve their top-flight status, are favourites to land the 37-year-old having made an indirect approach last week but there’s been no talks with Kilduff.

It’s understood the Blues’ Fleetwood owners will await the outcome of their relegation battle, under the caretaker management of Matt Lawlor, before deciding on their choice for next year’s campaign.

Ex-Dundalk player Kilduff rejoined the club as boss last year, having began his managerial career by guiding Athlone Town women to their first-ever title.

He delivered in his first year, leading the table from the start to secure the sole automatic promotion spot with a game to spare.

What was announced as a two-year deal hasn’t materialised in full and there were issues with formalising the terms of the deal. A mere 19 days after sealing promotion, the rancour has convinced him to walk away.

Temple remains confident Dundalk will receive a license from the FAI to operate in the top-flight but problems remain with the pitch and floodlights at Oriel Park. That could result in them playing elsewhere or an earlier kick-off time of 5pm. Neither scenario is palatable to fellow directors or fans.

He provided an update to supporters on Wednesday night but admits he remains at loggerheads with other investors, the Irish-born backers based in America.