Plymouth Argyle part company with John Sheridan

Plymouth Argyle have reached a mutual agreement with manager John Sheridan to bring an end to his time at the club.

The Pilgrims reached the League Two playoffs this season, but they fell short in the semi-finals when edged out by Wycombe Wanderers over two legs.

Sheridan, who still had one year left to run on his current deal, cited a desire to relocate to the North of England to be closer to his family as his reasoning behind departing Home Park.

Argyle owner and chairman James Brent said: "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.

"Reaching the playoffs last season, two years after surviving the drop into non-league on the final day of the 2012-13 campaign, is an achievement of which John, his management team, and the players should rightly be proud. 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.

"Everyone at Home Park wishes John every success in his future career. The search for a new manager to take Argyle into the eagerly-anticipated 2015-16 season has already begun. The club will be making no further comment on that process until an appointment is made."

Sheridan has previously enjoyed spells at Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic during his nine years as a senior boss.