Crozier steps down from Derry job

Crozier's future has been the subject of much speculation

Derry require a new senior county football manager after Paddy Crozier confirmed that he will not be seeking a fourth year in the post.

Crozier guided Derry to this year's National Football League title but his highly-regarded squad made an early exit from the Championship.

The Ballymaguigan man's departure is not a surprise.

Despite this year's NFL title, another disappointing championship season led to speculation that he would step down.

Earlier this month, the Derry county board reacted to reports of Crozier's likely departure by saying that the manager had its "full backing".

A statement from county PRO Sean Gunning hit out at "misleading comments" in the media.

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Despite the Derry board's intervention, the speculation over Crozier's future continued to rumble on and he now clearly has decided to bring the issue to an end.

Crozier's future appeared to be sealed by Derry's qualifier defeat by Monaghan, which came after a hugely disappointing collapse against Fermanagh in the Ulster semi-final.

Damien Cassidy has being linked with the position for several weeks and he is likely to be at the head of the betting to succeed Crozier.