Ruaidhri Higgins has quit as Derry City manager a week after their 2-0 FAI Cup final defeat by Drogheda.

The 40-year-old took over at the Brandywell in April 2021 and guided the Candystripes to cup success in 2022.

Under his leadership, Derry finished as runners-up in the Irish Premier Division twice – in 2022 and 2023 – and mounted another title challenge this season, eventually finishing fourth.

However, that league finish – along with the cup final defeat in Dublin last week – means Derry will not be playing European football next season.

In a statement on Friday, Higgins admitted the 2024 season had been “disappointing” but that it had been “an honour” to manage the Candystripes and that he had “always given it his all”.

“I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved together, but I can’t deny that 2024 was disappointing as we were hoping to complete a domestic double and ultimately fell short,” Higgins said.

The first league title since 1997 remains elusive

Higgins’ appointment in April 2021 was his first senior management role after working as an analyst and researcher under Stephen Kenny at the Republic of Ireland national team.

The former midfielder took over a side that were bottom of the Premier Division and led them to fourth place in his debut season.

The next two seasons saw credible title challenges as they finished second to Shamrock Rovers on both occasions, but the medals came in the form of the FAI Cup in 2022.

A comprehensive 4-0 win over Shelbourne saw Higgins win his first trophy as a manager, but the club’s elusive first championship since 1997 eluded him.

This season was seen by many as the year Derry would end that expectation. Despite holding second place throughout the season, a shaky finish left the Candystripes in fourth place and out of the European places for the following season.