Cronin resigns as Waterford manager
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Gareth Cronin has resigned from his position as manager of Waterford United with immediate effect.
The club said in a statement that it had ‘reluctantly accepted’ Cronin’s decision, adding that the search for his replacement will commence immediately.
Cronin had been in charge of the Blues since August 2006. However, the side were relegated from the Premier Division at the end of the 2007 season and finished in a disappointing fourth position in the First Division this season, ten points behind league winners Dundalk.
Cronin issued the following statement: “It is with deep regret that I have decided to resign from my post as manager of Waterford United Football Club with immediate effect. I would like to thank the board of the club, the players and staff I have worked with and the loyal true Waterford United fans who have supported me over the last two and a half years. I would like to wish the club every success in the future, both on and off the field.”
The club added: “We would like to thank Gareth for his commitment and effort since his appointment and wish him well in his football management career.”
Waterford slumped to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Monaghan United on the final day of the season and picked up just four points from their last seven games of the campaign.
Cronin became the youngest manager in the eircom league when he took the job on in 2006, aged just 31. A native of Cork, he had a distinguished career as a player with over 400 appearances for Cork City over two spells, with whom he won an FAI Cup medal in 1998.
He later transferred to for Shamrock Rovers, for whom he made more than 50 appearances. He was also capped for Ireland at every level except senior. His playing career came to a premature end in 2003 when he was forced to retire due to a knee injury.
