Cork opt for change as Richie Holland takes over from Liam Buckley

Cork City have made another managerial change with Liam Buckley departing their coaching team as they stare down a relegation play-off in November.

Richie Holland will take charge for the remainder of the year, having served under Buckley as assistant in recent months.

The former St Patrick's Athletic and Sligo Rovers manager was appointed sporting director of the club in May, before heading up an interim management team following Colin Healy’s resignation, and will now return to the former role.

In June, City announced that Buckley would front their management for the rest of the season following a good run in the league.

However, six points from the last 12 matches has left the Rebels in ninth place and heading for a play-off against a First Division side, barring a dramatic turnaround.

City attempted to lure Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty to the club in August. However, he turned down the role.

Cork will play an FAI Cup semi-final on Sunday week against St Patrick’s Athletic, having shown better form in that competition, but last Monday's 5-0 loss to Dundalk compounded their league woes.

They trail eighth place Sligo by nine points with five matches to go, having been promoted last year.

Buckley will now resume the full-time role of sporting director as Holland steps up.

Cork City owner Dermot Usher said: "Liam brings a lot to the club, but we are conscious that results have not been what we need in recent games.

"Following internal discussions, we feel it is best to make this change now as we go into the last six games of the season.

"Liam will now go back to focusing on the role of sporting director, which was the role in which he originally joined us, to focus on player and manager recruitment.

"Richie will assume