Stephen Kenny is set for a return to Derry City in place of John Robertson who was sacked by the Candystripes after just six months in charge.
Kenny himself was recently sacked by Scottish club Dunfermline after a disappointing start to the season, but he is in line to be ushered back for a second stint at Derry by new chairman Pat McDaid.
"Stephen was our only target. I know the players, staff and supporters will welcome this early Christmas present," said McDaid today.
"Negotiations have been going on over the past few days and I'm delighted that the new directors have been decisive in going after the only manager on our list.
"We encountered few difficulties in the negotiations. We have had comprehensive meetings and are delighted with the outcome," McDaid told the Derry Journal. The club are now waiting for Kenny to put pen to paper in what is expected to be a three-year deal.
After earning promotion from Division One with Longford Town in 1999, Kenny won the Premier Division title with Bohemians in 2003 before being sacked in 2004.
Soon afterwards Kenny began a two-year tenure with Derry who he led to an FAI Cup win, two League Cups and through two qualification rounds for the Champions League in two years.
It was in Europe where he caught the eye of Dunfermline with wins over IFK Gothenburg and Gretna before losing out to French giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Unlike Kenny, whose side finished second in the league in 2005 and 2006, Roberston could only manage a seventh place finish.
