Bohemians end managerial search with Declan Devine appointment

Bohemians have brought an end to their search for a manager with the confirmation that Declan Devine is to take over the Dalymount Park club.

The Gypsies have been on the hunt for a successor to Keith Long since August and have turned to former Derry City manager Devine, handing the 49-year-old a two-year contract.

He will be in attendance for tonight's game away to St Patrick’s Athletic before taking over officially from Monday for the final three games of the season.

"The opportunity to lead this football club is something that really excites me," he said.

"I will be completely immersing myself in moving to Dublin, and it will be full pelt from Monday.

"I am going to do everything in my power to ensure this club is back where it belongs and for me, that means Bohs being back at the top of the table.

"I’m a working-class guy from a working-class background. My ultimate goal has always been to work as hard as I possibly can to achieve success."

Devine has been away from League of Ireland management since being relieved of his duties at the Brandywell in April of last year, his second stint at the club.

Devine returned to the Derry helm in November 2018 and an upturn in fortunes saw the team secure a fourth-place finish. The Derry local also qualified the club for the Europa League in both seasons of his first stint in 2012 and 2013, a spell where the Candystripes won the FAI Cup.

In between his own spells in charge at the Brandywell, he also managed Northern Ireland at underage level.

It brings an end to a saga that has seen a number of candidates drop out of the running to succeed Long, who was dismissed in August after a run that saw the club fall to ten defeats from 27 league games

Wexford manager Ian Ryan had emerged as a front