Dundalk boss Perth left unhappy by FAI approach for assistant head coach Ruaidhri Higgins

Dundalk Head Coach Vinny Perth has confirmed that he is unhappy with the manner of the FAI’s approach for the Lilywhites assistant head coach Ruaidhri Higgins.

Dundalk confirmed that the Football Association of Ireland made an approach for Higgins on Tuesday afternoon.

The 35-year-old has been Vinny Perth’s assistant at Oriel Park for the past 16 months.

“It’s disappointing that a member of staff that I rate so highly has been approached to move elsewhere,” Dundalk boss Perth told DundalkFC.ie.

“The manner in which the approach was conducted is something that I’m not happy about and I will leave that with our board of directors and the FAI to deal with.

“I feel very strongly about protecting our staff and players and the board have been exceptional with this since I took over. We have people under contract and those contracts need to be honoured and respected.”

Higgins is expected to become part of Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny’s new backroom team and Perth acknowledged that it was a ‘wonderful opportunity’ for the Limavady man.

“We fully understand that this is a wonderful opportunity for Ruaidhri,” he said. “I have always said that to win a league title you need league winning staff and I have definitely had that. He has played a key part in our success.

“My job now is to protect Dundalk FC and I have time on my side to make whatever decisions need to be made over the next couple of weeks.”