WARRINGTON Rylands have officially confirmed the departure of manager Jody Banim.

Earlier on Monday evening, the Guardian reported that Banim's 24-game tenure at Gorsey Lane was at an end and Blues have now confirmed the news.

In a Tweet, Rylands said they had accepted their manager's resignation due to "business commitments outside football."

They are now looking for their third manager of the season and have officially invited applicants for therole.

The news comes at a delicate stage of their first ever Step Three campaign, with Blues just three points shy of the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off spots.

Since taking over following Dave McNabb’s departure in September, former Stafford Rangers and Ashton United boss Banim has presided over nine wins – the last being Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Liversedge in what turned out to be his final game in charge – five draws and 10 defeats.

Blues are next in action on Saturday as they travel to league leaders Hyde United, which is followed swiftly by a trip to Atherton Collieries on February 7.