Wexford FC manager Ian Ryan departs after 18 months

Wexford FC manager Ian Ryan has announced his departure from the role after 18 months in charge.

The club announced the news in a statement this evening, admitting Ryan's departure was a "setback" but still trumpeted their ambitions to mount a promotion push in 2023.

"Wexford FC regrets to announce that first team manager Ian Ryan has advised us of his resignation with immediate effect," the club statement read.

"The club had been well advanced in its plans to put together a squad made up of the core of last season's with a number of new additions, so that we could mount a serious challenge for promotion in 2023. Despite this setback, this remains the plan and the process to appoint a new manager, with the ambition and potential to deliver this, will begin straight away.

"We wish to thank Ian for his efforts over the last 18 months and wish him the best of luck. During this time the squad has developed appreciably and we have celebrated a number of great wins and occasions under his tenure. The whole profile and performance of the club has lifted during his time here and we are determined as a club to build on this momentum."

Ryan oversaw a significant uptick in performance for the Wexford club in the 2022 season, having lifted the club from bottom position in 2021 to sixth in 2022, just one place outside the First Division playoff. The club also landed a major scalp in the FAI Cup, defeating Sligo Rovers in the Showgrounds in the first round and then taking Dundalk to extra-time in the round of 16.

Ryan, who was heavily linked with the then vacant Bohemians job this autumn, tweeted this evening his decision to leave Wexford was "immensely difficult."

"I have absolutely loved the last 18 months and will always be grateful for