Brian Mullins has stepped down as manager of the Derry footballers. The former Dublin All-Ireland medallist announced that he did not wish to be considered when the post comes up for discussion at the county board.

In 1995 Mullins succeeded Mickey Moran, whose year as manager was riven with controversy after he had succeeded Eamonn Coleman, the All-Ireland winning manager from 1993, who was dismissed a year after that triumph.

Whereas Mullins's term was stable after all the wrangling of 1994 and '95 - his status in the game earned him respect - his three years were, broadly speaking, disappointing.

Although Derry regained the Ulster title for the first time in five years in July, the team gave a very poor performance in Croke Park when Galway beat them in last month's All-Ireland semi-final.

Speculation surrounding Mul lins's successor suggests that Eamonn Coleman will be recalled four years after his controversial dismissal. Time is not on the side of the remnants of his All-Ireland winning team if they are to anchor another successful tilt at the title.

Derry's county board yesterday issued a statement thanking Mullins and his selectors, Anthony McGurk, Frank Kearney, Enda Gormley and Danny Quinn, for their achievements - the 1996 NFL as well as this year's Ulster championship - and for "the dignified way in which his period of management was brought to a close", adding that they looked forward "to a continuing relationship".