Portadown Football Club is on the hunt for a new manager after parting ways with Niall Currie with immediate effect. The surprise departure comes with just two matches remaining in the Irish Premiership season, adding a dramatic twist to the campaign's final weeks.

Currie, 53, was in his second spell at the helm, having initially managed the club from 2016 to 2018 before returning in October 2022. His final game was a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Crusaders last Saturday, a performance he himself labeled "abysmal."

His tenure was a rollercoaster of highs and lows. While he couldn't stave off relegation in the 2022-23 season, he masterminded an immediate bounce-back, leading the Ports to the Championship title and promotion the very next campaign. The team also showcased their cup pedigree by reaching the 2024 BetMcLean Cup final, ultimately falling to Linfield.

Last season, back in the top flight, Currie guided Portadown to a respectable eighth-place finish, just two points shy of a European play-off spot. However, the current season has proven more challenging, with the club sitting 10th ahead of their final two fixtures against Ballymena United and Bangor.

A well-traveled figure in Northern Irish football, Currie's extensive managerial career also includes stints at Dundela, Carrick Rangers, Ards, Loughgall, and Annagh United. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter for Portadown as they now look to the future.