Athlone Town part company with manager Mick Cooke

Manager departs by mutual consent after terrible start to campaign

Athlone Town have parted company with manager Mick Cooke by mutual consent. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho

Athlone Town have parted company with first-team manager Mick Cooke by mutual consent.

The 62-year-old Dubliner took over at the midlands club just last November after Roddy Collins left to take over as manager of Derry City.

Collins led Athlone Town to the First Division title last season, but they have struggled badly in the Premier League, losing all 10 of their games to date.

In a statement released on the club website, Athlone Town club chairman John Hayden said: "The club would like to thank Mick for the hard work, honesty and integrity that he has shown in the job since replacing Roddy Collins at the start of the season. We would like to wish him the best of luck in the future whatever road he now chooses to take."

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Former Drogheda United boss Cooke said: “Over the weekend after discussions with the chairman I feel that despite the team being so close to getting results I just cannot find the right button to get us over the line and gain the all important results we need. It was through these discussions that John Hayden and myself felt that new men at the helm was the best plan of action.”