Cliftonville boss Gerard Lyttle leaves for Sligo Rovers

Mr Lyttle tendered his resignation to chairman Gerard Lawlor on Friday afternoon.

The club said in a statement: "Cliftonville FC wishes Gerard well in his future career.

"Mal Donaghy and George McMullan will assume managerial responsibilities for tomorrow's Danske Bank Premiership fixture with Glenavon."

Announcing the appointment of Lyttle  as new manager, Sligo Rovers said he has signed a contract to the end of the 2018 season.

Rovers chairman Martin Heraghty said: “Gerard joins us with a good track record from his time with Cliftonville. He is ambitious and eager to bring success to Sligo Rovers. Gerard shares the vision we have for the club.”

As a player Lyttle played with Celtic, Peterborough United, Northampton Town as well as with Cliftonville while also being capped at Northern Ireland under-21 level.

Following the end of his playing career he joined the coaching staff of Cliftonville in 2011 and was with the club as they won consecutive league title in 2012-13 and 2013-14. After a short caretaker spell he was named manager in October 2015.

Lyttle will take charge of his first game next Friday when we visit Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity League.