Liam Buckley has revealed how he urged Colin Healy to reconsider quitting Cork City.
The Rebels were plunged into crisis on Wednesday night when Healy resigned as manager, just hours after Buckley was appointed Sporting Director.
Sources maintain the timing of Healy’s departure was coincidental and unrelated to Buckley’s return to football.
Ex-St Pat’s boss Buckley takes temporary charge tonight when Cork host the Saints, who are also managerless after parting company with Tim Clancy on Tuesday.
Clancy remains a live contender for the Turner’s Cross job, with Buckley not in the frame from a permanent return to the dugout.
“All I can say is that I was appointed by owner Dermot Usher as Sporting DIrector and that’s what my job and remit is,” said Buckley yesterday.
“Colin was the manager and he has very competent staff, but Dermot wants to take this on and thinks I can help out.
“It's just unfortunate that Colin has left. I would have liked him to stay. I spoke to him and asked him to stay.
“I said I was coming down to support the manager. You would need to speak with Colin to see if he sees it any way different.”
After losing to Shelbourne last Friday, Healy was persuaded to stay on for Monday’s clash with Bohs but City lost 5-0 at Dalymount Park.
Buckley continued: “I knew there was an issue and I spoke to Colin and his agent about how important it was for him to stay.
“But we need to appreciate it from Colin's point of view. It’s his own decision and just unfortunate.
“I've been there and it's a difficult job when you're losing games, there’s a lot to take on board.
“It's a lonely job when it's not going well. When it's going well, it's the best job in the world.”
Cork City want to make a swift appointment and Buckley will be central to that process of finding Healy’s replacement.
He added: “If it takes more than a week to get a manager then I’ll sit on the bench next week.
“But please God we get it resolved sooner rather than later. I'm sure there will be plenty of applications. Anybody can apply.
“We're looking forward to the process and we want to get it done as soon as we possibly can.”
Shelbourne manager Damien Duff was an Ireland team-mate of Healy’s and was surprised to see him step away.
Duff said yesterday: “I find that really strange. I don’t think they’ll get a better manager there. It’s a big loss for Cork. Whatever has gone on behind the scenes I don’t know.
“But what he’s brought to Cork since coming in as manager, stabilising the club, returning them to the Premier Division, he’s done such a good job, he’ll be a big miss.”
Cork City owner Dermot Usher insists he didn’t want Healy to step down but knew the club legend had his mind made up.
“It was a hard one for the club because we didn’t want Colin to go,” Usher told RedFM yesterday.
“Unfortunately Colin decided the time wasn’t right for him and we’re sorry to see him go.”
“We probably knew since towards the end of last week that maybe something was afoot.
“It’s been extremely difficult but there was full support from the club for Colin to continue on.”
READ NEXT:
Paul O'Connell gives his view on Ireland's position ahead of the Rugby World Cup
Conor McGregor told he went "too far" with comments about Khabib Nurmagomedov's dead father
Former Ireland international wants to Shine a light on mental health in sport
Kerry's Jason Foley not looking back after choosing football over athletics
Erling Haaland breaks Premier League record in first season to make history
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
