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Mick Cooke will leave his position as Drogheda United manager at the end of the season, it has been confirmed by the club this evening.





Drogheda United feel that the club and Mick Cooke do not wish to go in the same direction and feel that it is in the long term interests of the club not to appoint him for the 2014 season.





The 62 year-old departed Monaghan United on the eve of the 2011 season to take up the reins with the county Louth men and guided them to safety in the Premier Division. The 2012 season was to be an outstanding season for Cooke and the side as he led them to a second placed finish in the league and an EA Sports Cup win in September of that year.





2013 hasn’t been as successful as they sit in midtable in the league however the Drogs did enjoy a European adventure which saw the Claret and Blue outfit compete with Swedish outfit Malmo. They also finished runners-up in the Setanta Sports Cup and will once again compete in the EA Sports Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers for the second year in succession on September 21st.





Earlier in the evening it was reported by LMFM radio that if Cooke was to step down immediately, he would receive a pay-off however the Dublin native chose to remain in charge until the end of the campaign and will not have his contract renewed.







Statement from the club:



"Over the past number of months it has become clear that the club and Mick were not of the same mind in regard to the future direction of the club. Acting in the best long term interests of the club, the board has decided not to appoint Mick for the 2014 season. "