DUNDALK HAVE CALLED on a man with plenty of international experience to take over as manager for the 2012 season.
But it is former Republic of Ireland underage boss Sean McCaffrey, rather than hometown hero Steve Staunton as rumoured earlier this week, who is the new gaffer in Oriel Park.
McCaffrey put pen to paper on a one-year deal with the Lilywhites this afternoon and will be officially presented to supporters and the media at a “meet and greet” in Oriel Park this evening.
The 52-year-old will be joined next season by Darius Kierans who is to continue on in his role as assistant manager. Kierans worked alongside manager Ian Foster last season and had been touted as a potential candidate for the vacancy along with Staunton, Eddie Gormley and former St Patrick’s Athletic manager Pete Mahon.
John Whyte, a member of Dundalk’s FAI Cup-winning team in 2002, has also been named as part of McCaffrey’s new management team. Whyte has been working with the club’s underage teams since July.
In August 2010, McCaffrey parted ways with the Republic of Ireland U17, U18 and U19 squads after seven years in charge. Under his management, the national U18 side qualified for the 2008 European Championships in Turkey, though they ended the tournament with three defeats from three.
He is expected to announce his first signing for Dundalk this evening.
