Ciar\u00e1n Kilduff has quit as Dundalk manager after just a year as the First Division champions plunge deeper into crisis.<\/p>\n
Majority shareholder John Temple is digging in amid pressure to relinquish his 65% stake but the boardroom standoff left the Lilywhites boss in limbo.<\/p>\n
He was unable to sign players or decide if changing to a daytime training schedule was viable, causing chaos in planning for their 2026 return to the Premier Division.<\/p>\n
Kilduff (37) informed relevant parties of his decision to leave on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
Waterford, who could end up contesting a playoff to preserve their top-flight status, are favourites to land the 37-year-old having made an initial approach last week.<\/p>\n
The former Dundalk player rejoined the club as boss last year, having began his managerial career by guiding Athlone Town women to their first-ever title.<\/p>\n
What was announced as a two-year deal hasn\u2019t materialised and there were issues with formalising the terms of the deal.<\/p>\n
Temple remains confident Dundalk will receive a license from the FAI to operate in the top-flight but problems remain with the pitch and floodlights at Oriel Park. That could result in them playing elsewhere or an earlier kick-off time of 5pm. Neither scenario is palatable to fellow directors or fans.<\/p>\n