Athlone Town part ways with manager Martin Russell

Athlone Town have parted ways with manager Martin Russell.

The decision comes with the club bottom of the SSE Airtricity League First Division, with Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Longford Town in the midlands derby marking a seventh defeat in the first eight games of this season.

Athlone's only point of the campaign so far came in a 1-1 draw at home to Bray Wanderers on 1 April.

Former UCD, Limerick and Bray manager Russell had been in charge of the club's first team since last November, replacing Paul Doolin, who had taken over for the final four months of last season.

Director of football Dermot Lennon will take interim charge of the team as Athlone go in search of a successor to Russell.

In a statement, Athlone Town said: "Following discussions between Martin and ATAFC's board members it was mutually agreed that he should stand down from the position with immediate effect.

"Unfortunately, results this season were not what Martin and the club had hoped for.

"The club would like to thank Martin for his efforts and wishes him every success in the future.

"The club will start the process of recruiting a new manager. In the meantime, Athlone Town AFC's Director of Football Dermot Lennon, who is both a former manager and player for ATAFC, will take charge of the men's first team affairs."

Athlone will return to league action on Friday with Treaty United the visitors.