Irish football's worst-kept secret confirmed as Vinny Perth and John Gill form new Dundalk management team

Dundalk have confirmed the appointment of Vinny Perth as the club’s new head coach following the untimely departure of Stephen Kenny, who took up a role within the Republic of Ireland setup.

Perth, who was Kenny’s right-hand man for the entirety of his six-year spell at Oriel Park, has now been given the opportunity to lead the Lilywhites in what has been Irish football’s worst-kept secret.

Speculation regarding Perth’s imminent appointment had been widespread since Kenny’s shock departure at the end of November and bookmakers had even suspended betting two weeks ago.

Perth has signed a two-year contract and will be joined by new assistant head coach Ruaidhri Higgins along with first-team coach John Gill, who have both also penned two-year deals.

“I am delighted to have been appointed head coach at Dundalk Football Club, and am excited by the challenges ahead, namely defending our League of Ireland and FAI Cup trophies, and embarking on another European campaign,” said Perth.

“I’d like to thank the chairman, and the rest of the board, for showing faith in myself, Ruaidhri and John, as well as for their great support on and off the pitch.

“I feel strongly that continuity is the key to taking Dundalk Football Club forward, a view that the board also share.

“I look forward to working with all the staff at the club, and I particularly wish to welcome John Gill back in his new role.

“As first-team coach, John is someone who will bring vital experience, hard work and dedication to the club.

“John and I have shared football ideas and philosophies for many years and I am excited to work with him. John brings a huge level of experience to the management team.

“I would like to stress to all supporters of Dundalk Football Club, that all the planning and preparation is well underway as we embark on our pre-season schedule.

“After a gruelling but highly successful campaign in 2018, everyone at the club is motivated and ready to get going again.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all of our supporters in February for our first league game against Sligo.”

Perth’s relationship with Kenny goes back over 20 years from his time as a player with Longford Town, which preceded further playing spells at St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.

Much like Kenny before him, Perth started his managerial career with Longford before taking charge of Malahide United, where he remained until Dundalk acquired his services as assistant in 2013.

Perth has yet to obtain the mandatory UEFA Pro License, which means Gill must step in to make an emotional return to Dundalk, who sacked him despite guiding the club to promotion back in 2008.

The pair have previously worked together at both Malahide and Dundalk, where Gill was Perth’s manager for a season before he hung up his boots to become assistant manager at Longford.

Gill has managed Dublin City, Athlone Town, Dundalk and Malahide and now returns to Oriel as first-team coach, having held similar roles at St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United.

“I’m looking forward to returning to a club that I know well, and I’m hugely excited about the challenges that lay ahead,” said Gill.

“I have a great affinity with the town, a great fondness for the supporters, and this opportunity was something I simply could not turn down.

“I believe this to be a very exciting period in the club’s history. We will work together as a team and look to grow and improve, with the aim of delivering more success to Dundalk Football Club and its loyal supporters.

“I am returning to a club that I know well, it is a club that has improved greatly since I was last here.

“I believe I can play a role in delivering more success to the town and consider this to be an exciting time in the club’s history.

“In Vinny Perth and Ruaidhri Higgins the club have an excellent pair of coaches, and I am excited to work with them as well as all of the players and staff.”

Dundalk are to begin the defence of their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division crown with an opening night fixture against Sligo Rovers – also newly managed – at Oriel Park on February 15th.