John Sheridan: Plymouth Argyle manager leaves by mutual consent

Plymouth have not won a game after conceding the first goal since March 2013

Manager John Sheridan has left Plymouth Argyle by mutual consent after failing to get the club promoted through the League Two play-offs.

The Pilgrims finished seventh but lost 5-3 on aggregate to Wycombe Wanderers in the play-off semi-finals.

Sheridan, 50, had one year remaining on his contract but expressed a desire to relocate back to the north of England.

"I have thought long and hard about the decision and I hope people understand the reasons behind it," said Sheridan.

"It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have been Plymouth Argyle's manager for the last two and half years, and I would like to thank the board and the fans for supporting me wholeheartedly during my time at Home Park.

"I believe that I leave the club in a far stronger position to reclaim its place at a higher level of the Football League than it was when I first arrived and I wish it nothing but continued success for the future."

The former Chesterfield and Oldham manager had been in charge at the Devon club since January 2013.

Plymouth were just one place and one point outside the League Two relegation zone when Sheridan took over at the Home Park side.

"The search for a new manager to take Argyle into next season has already begun," added owner James Brent.

"While we would have liked John to continue to plot Argyle's course back up the Football League, we understand his reasons for wanting to leave and have agreed a mutual termination of his contract."

The club are yet to confirm whether any of Sheridan's coaching staff, which includes former Pilgrims player Paul Wotton, will remain at Home Park.

"John has made a significant contribution to the Pilgrims' cause, for which we will always be very grateful.

"Under his management, Argyle were brought back from the brink of relegation out of the Football League and were subsequently transformed into League Two promotion contenders."