Manager Warren Feeney has left Bluefin Sport Championship club Ards to take over Bulgarian club OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad.

Former Northern Ireland international Feeney took over the post at the County Down club in February following the departure of Colin Nixon but failed to keep his side in the Danske Bank Premiership, losing the relegation play-off to Carrick Rangers over two legs at the end of last season.

In a statement on the Ards official website; “Warren leaves on good terms and with the agreement of the Ards F.C. Board but he feels the opportunity to return to a full time position with full time players was too good to miss.”

“The Board wish Warren well in his new venture and wish to thank him for his efforts over the last nine months.”

Since his retirement from playing, the 38-year-old has managed Linfield and Newport County as well as posts as assistant manager at Crawley Town and Notts County, he leaves Ards currently fifth in the second tier.

Assistant manager Craig McClean has been put in temporary charge of the club, with the next game against HW Welders this coming Saturday at Tillysburn Park in the Bluefin Sport Championship (kick-off: 2pm)