Stephen Rochford has announced his resignation as Mayo senior football manager.
His decision follows a meeting with the Mayo county board executive committee last night in which he claimed that the "desired level of support was not forthcoming", adding that "disappointed him greatly".
During his time in charge which began with the 2016 season, the former Crossmolina club manager led Mayo to two All Ireland finals, which they lost narrowly to Dublin on both occasions - in 2016 via replay.
STATEMENT
"After a meeting of the Mayo GAA Board’s Executive Committee last night, held to discuss the management team I had assembled to manage Mayo senior men’s team in 2019, the board issued a statement saying they wished to meet the management team and me about our structure and plans.
Following an executive meeting of Mayo GAA this evening the officers of the board were authorized to meet Stephen Rochford & his management team on their structures & plans for 2019. #mayogaa #gaa
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) August 26, 2018
"It was apparent from what transpired at that meeting that the desired level of support for me as manager was not forthcoming from the Executive Committee. This disappoints me greatly.
"Accordingly, I see no value in meeting with the officers of the board and I am resigning my position as Mayo manager. I thank all those who supported me during the past three years, two of which saw Mayo come so close to winning the All-Ireland title.
Stephen Rochford has stepped down as manager of the Mayo Senior Football team. We thank him for all his work over the past three years. #mayogaa #gaa https://t.co/EHpfh2o1DV
— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) August 27, 2018
"Like all Mayo people, I enjoyed the good days when the team won and suffered the disappointments when the results didn’t go our way. It was a great privilege to manage the Mayo team.
"The 2018 season was a disappointing one for all involved, and for our supporters. However, I had every confidence that our new backroom team had the capacity to build on the progress of previous years and drive the team on in 2019.
"In particular, I thank the players, backroom team, spouses and partners, family members, our team sponsors Intersport Elverys, the county board, the clubs and the Mayo supporters worldwide who turned out in huge numbers to support us during the three years and who lent financial backing to the team. A special word of thanks to my wife, Laura, and our children, and both our families, for their support and forbearance at all times.
"I wish all who will wear the Mayo jersey in 2019 and beyond every success and I look forward to supporting the footballing fortunes of the county. "
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