DFC | Perth confirmed as Dundalk FC first-team coach with Higgins as number two

Former manager John Gill returns to the club as first-team coach

After weeks of speculation, Vinny Perth has officially been installed as the new head coach at Dundalk FC.

Perth, who will oversee all footballing activities across the club, will be assisted by Ruaidhri Higgins while former manager John Gill returns to the club in the role of first-team coach. All three have been handed two-year deals at Oriel Park.

Perth, who was Stephen Kenny’s number two for six seasons, said he was delighted to have been handed the reins following Kenny’s departure to the Republic of Ireland U21s.

“I am delighted to have been appointed head coach at Dundalk Football Club, and am excited by the challenges ahead, namely defending our League of Ireland and FAI Cup trophies, and embarking on another European campaign.

“I’d like to thank the chairman Mike Treacy, and the rest of the board, for showing faith in myself, Ruaidhri and John, as well as for their great support on and off the pitch.

“I feel strongly that continuity is the key to taking Dundalk Football Club forward, a view that the board also share. I look forward to working with all the staff at the club, and I particularly wish to welcome John Gill back in his new role.

“As first-team coach, John is someone who will bring vital experience, hard work and dedication to the club. John and I have shared football ideas and philosophies for many years and I am excited to work with him. John brings a huge level of experience to the management team.”

“I would like to stress to all supporters of Dundalk Football Club, that all the planning and preparation is well underway as we embark on our pre-season schedule.

“After a gruelling but highly successful campaign in 2018, everyone at the club is motivated and ready to get going again. I’m looking forward to seeing all of our supporters in February for our first league game against Sligo.”

Gill led Dundalk to promotion from the first division in 2008 only to be let go days later and said he was hugely excited to return to a club and town he holds close to his heart.

“I’m looking forward to returning to a club that I know well, and I’m hugely excited about the challenges that lay ahead. I have a great affinity with the town, a great fondness for the supporters, and this opportunity was something I simply could not turn down.

“I believe this to be a very exciting period in the club’s history. We will work together as a team and look to grow and improve, with the aim of delivering more success to Dundalk Football Club and its loyal supporters.

“I am returning to a club that I know well, it is a club that has improved greatly since I was last here. I believe I can play a role in delivering more success to the town and consider this to be an exciting time in the club’s history.

“In Vinny Perth and Ruaidhri Higgins the club have an excellent pair of coaches, and I am excited to work with them as well as all of the players and staff.”

Dundalk chairman Mike Treacy echoed Perth’s comments about continuity and thanked the supporters for their patience in recent weeks.

“We are delighted to confirm our new coaching structure at Dundalk Football Club. The board recognise that continuity is crucial at the football club, given the levels of success achieved in recent seasons.

“We are convinced that in Vinny, Ruaidhri and John we have a structure in place which will ensure we continue to build upon the success of recent seasons, and achieve the club’s objectives on the pitch.

“We appreciate the patience of our supporters in recent weeks as we have worked tirelessly to outline our vision for the future of the club, and assure everyone we are excited about the future.”

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