League of Ireland:Regardless of the club's disappointing results, the man entrusted with filling Pat Fenlon's boots at Derry City said the manager's departure after just five months at the helm was a bolt from the blue.
Veteran defender Peter Hutton will guide the team on a caretaker basis but while Fenlon's private circumstances were well documented the player claims he and his team-mates were left stunned.
Fenlon cited personal reasons for quitting as he was living away from his young family who were reluctant to relocate to the north-west from their Dublin home. However, he was also under increasing pressure following the team's less than inspiring performances during his brief tenure.
"It's very disappointing to lose Pat but we respect his decision," said Hutton, who does not expect the job full-time but won't rule it out in the future.
"It's totally out of the blue, the players had no indication. It's testimony to Pat's professionalism that he kept it to himself and didn't let it affect the team."
Hutton, with assistance from Fenlon's right-hand man Anthony Gorman, takes control with immediate effect - Friday's league encounter at UCD their first priority.
It's not the first time Derry have turned to Hutton in a time of crisis. He was appointed caretaker prior to Stephen Kenny's appointment in 2004.
Derry City chief executive Jim Roddy will meet board members to discuss the next steps forward in unearthing a successor.
Among those already linked with the job include Longford Town manager Alan Matthews, former Derry coach Declan Devine who joined Kenny at Dunfermline, Willie McStay, the ex-Sligo manager now a coach at Celtic, and recently sacked Glentoran boss Paul Millar.
Fenlon, who was on a three-year contract, broke the news to his players during training yesterday and in a statement said he "regretfully" resigned but declined to elaborate. He thanked the board, playing staff and supporters.
The club, in turn, "regrettably accepted" the resignation and thanked Fenlon for his efforts.
Derry are fifth in the table, 11 points off leaders St Patrick's Athletic having lost four times in their first 11 league games.
Having finished second for the last two seasons expectations on Foyleside are at an all-time high - a fact not lost on Fenlon when he accepted the job before Christmas.
Kenny raised the bar before leaving for Scotland and Fenlon conceded nothing but a league title would satisfy fans this season.
But despite initial victories results soon spiralled. Three of Derry's four league defeats to date have come at home, one of which was a 4-1 humiliation by Cork City and another a 1-0 defeat to UCD.
Derry go to UCD this weekend gunning for revenge. "We can't travel to Dublin disappointed that Pat's gone," added Hutton. "It's just part of football and you move on. It's important the players adopt a professional attitude and focus their energy."
