Cork City FC have withdrawn from contract discussions with manager Alan Matthews, ending his troubled tenure at the club which began in January. Matthews, formerly of Longford Town, replaced former manager Damien Richardson, having won two FAI Cups and a League Cup in a six year stint with the Midlands club. However, despite winning the Setanta Cup with Cork City FC in his first season, his success was overshadowed by off-the-field financial troubles which saw City docked 10 points and staff forced to accept drastic pay-cuts.

In a prepared statement, Cork City FC Chairman Tom Coughlan said, "Alan has been a tremendous leader throughout the Examinership process and is a very talented football manager and I would like to thank him for efforts in this difficult time for the Club. I have no doubt he will have a great future in football."

"The challenge facing Cork City FC for the foreseeable future is to operate on tight financial restraints to avoid has happened in the past 12 months to ensure the club has a sustainable future. The opportunity for all of us is to attract the best squad of players to ensure we are challenging for the league title next season."

Discussions meanwhile are taking place between the Friends of the Rebel Army Society (FORAS) and Cork City FC with a view to establishing a management structure that will see supporters involved in the future decision making processes at the club.

The potential partnership could lead to the establishment of a number of committees with responsibilities for events such as fundraising, media and public relations, school and community liaising, ticket sales, promotions and match night entertainment.

The ongoing talks to help establish the new management structure follow on from earlier meetings between Cork City FC's new owner Tom Coughlan and the supporters society during the examinership process earlier this year. Although Foras will not be taking a financial share in Cork City FC as yet, the supporters society claim that Coughlan has repeatedly confirmed his intention to transfer, over time, the club into supporters' hands.

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