Dundalk have named Italian Filippo Giovagnoli as successor to Vinny Perth, until the end of the season.
It’s a surprise appointment from the League of Ireland champions and the ‘interim head coach’ title will presumably change of Giovagnoli proves to be a success at Oriel Park.
The 49-year-old’s most recent role was as director of coaching at at the Metropolitan Oval Academy in New York. He previously worked as technical director of AC Milan’s junior camps.
Giovagnoli will be assisted by fellow Italian Guiseppe Rossi.
The new interim manager is expected to meet Dundalk’s players and staff today.
He told the club website: “I’m in a different country and a lot of people are sceptical but I am not afraid and when I become part of a club, it becomes my family, and if it becomes my family I will fight really hard to do well.”
Giovagnoli’s first game in charge will be on Sunday evening against Cobh Ramblers in the second Round of the FAI Cup.
Pert was sacked less than 24 hours after his side were beaten in their Champions League qualifying game against NK Celje in Hungary.
Perth had been at the club since 2013 when he arrived to work as assistant to Stephen Kenny and he was regarded as having played a major part in Dundalk’s tremendous success during the seasons that followed.
He enjoyed a strong first season, leading the side to another league title as well as victories in the League Cup and Unite-sponsored Champions Cup. The only disappointment was an FAI Cup final defeat by Shamrock Rovers last November.
This season has proven more difficult. When the campaign was halted due to the Covid-19 outbreak, Dundalk were three points behind Rovers at the top of the table. However, since the restart their form has been poor.
Dundalk are currently in third place in the League of Ireland Premier Division, nine points off leaders Shamrock Rovers.