Peter Hutton departs Derry City

Peter Hutton has, this evening, left Derry by mutual consent with Paul Hegarty to step in as caretaker manager for the remainder of the season.

Derry have suffered an incredibly disappointing league campaign this season and it would appear that the 3-0 FAI Cup loss to Cork on Monday evening was the final straw as the Derry Board of Directors moved to part company with Hutton.

Hutton was appointed as manager last May and secured eighth place in the league as well as taking Derry all the way to the FAI Cup final in November, only to lose to St. Patrick’s Athletic at the final hurdle. However this season has been even poorer. Derry currently sit 10^th in the table just one point above Sligo in the relegation play off place and have also been put out of both cup competitions as relegation seems a real possibility.

However his time at the helm is unparalleled to his achievements as a player. The Derry native played for the Candy Stripes for 18 years over three spells at his local club going on to make over 600 appearances in his time there and remains Derry’s record appearance holder.  

Not only did he win over 600 appearances but a trophy cabinet full of silverware. As well as a single league title in the 1996/97 season he won the FAI Cup in three times most recently in 2006 as well as seven league cups, the first being in the 1991/92 season.

The Derry statement is below:

The Derry City FC Board Of Directors would like to announce that Peter Hutton has left the club by mutual consent.

Derry City FC would like to thank Peter for his service, and we wish him well for the future.

Paul Hegarty will take over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.