Cooke and Athlone Town part company

Mick Cooke has left his position as manager of Athlone Town. 

The club confirmed today that the former Drogheda United and Monaghan United boss has parted company with the club by mutual consent after losing all ten league games this season; their worst start to a League of Ireland Premier Division season since 1942/43.

The club lost by just a single goal in three of their last four matches, but the 4-0 defeat at the hands of St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night was the tipping point that has seen Cooke depart the club after a horrid start to the season.

“Over the weekend after discussions with the chairman I feel that despite the team being so close to getting results I just cannot find the right button to get us over the line and gain the all-important results we need,” Cooke said after his departure was confirmed. “It was through these discussions that John Hayden and myself felt that new men at the helm was the best plan of action.

“I feel that 28 points will be enough for the team to remain in the Premier Division and by stepping aside now and letting a new man take charge they may find that button and with 23 games remaining it will give him a great chance of keeping the club in the Premier.

Despite departing the club, Cooke was full of praise for the support he received from chairman John Hayden and the club’s fans who supported him since he joined the club last November.

“I would like to thank the club chairman John Hayden for the chance to manage Athlone Town and the support he has given me over the 12 games so far this season. I would also like to thank the brilliant bunch of players along with the backroom staff involved with the team for the tremendous loyalty they have shown me from the start.

“Thank you to the supporters as well for continuing to back me and the team throughout the games most notably at the end of the Dundalk defeat where they were tremendous as always. I would finally like to wish the club and the new management team when appointed the best of luck for the rest of the season.”

Despite the dreadful start to the season, Chairman John Hayden wished Cooke all the best in the future:

“The club would like to thank Mick for the hard work, honesty and integrity that he has shown in the job since replacing Roddy Collins at the start of the season. We would like to wish him the best of luck in the future whatever road he now chooses to take.”

A new manager looks set to be appointed quickly as Athlone look to register their first points of the SSE Airtricity League season when they lock horns with Bray Wanderers at Lissywollen on Friday night.