Damien Richardson is keen to remain in charge of Cork City but admits that decision could be out of his hands. The manager is calling for talks with the board and will continue preparing the team for next season until told otherwise.

Richardson delivered FAI Cup success yesterday with a 1-0 win over Longford Town and afterwards suggested he had overseen his last game with the club.  He denied pre-match rumours that the club's general manager, Aidan Tynan, told him on Saturday he would be replaced as manager.

Pat Dolan, Stephen Kenny, Pat Scully and former Leeds United goalkeeper John Lukic have been mentioned in connection with the job.

While refusing to confirm his exit, Richardson yesterday appeared resigned to his fate as the club's new owners, Arkaga Fund, are keen to enforce a reshuffle by introducing a Director of Football role.

That position was earmarked for Richardson during contract negotiations with the club's previous board but nothing was signed.  Tonight he acknowledged such a role was "a natural progression" but yesterday he was adamant his future lay in management.

"I'm a manager, pure and simple. If I'm not managing, then I'm not a manager," he said at the RDS.

But a Cork City statement this evening suggested Richardson has a future on Leeside.  However, it also claimed he is considering approaches from other clubs.  Richardson denied this.

"In ongoing discussions with Damien Richardson we have indicated that Cork City Football Club intents to appoint a Director of Football and that that person will determine the club's future footballing needs," the Cork City statement read.

"Damien has however indicated in meetings with us that he has received offers from other clubs. Obviously it is up to Damien to decide whether or not to accept those offers or to look to renew his contract with Cork City and we will continue to discuss this with him."

Richardson was approached by Derry City but that was after Stephen Kenny's departure to the SPL last year.

"I can quite emphatically say that is untrue," he said of the board's allegation .

"I was approached by a club over a year ago when I was first in discussion about a new contract with the then chairman Brian Lennox.  I turned down that offer blankly as I was managing Cork City and that was my future.

"You often hear whispers from other clubs asking how happy are you but I've always made it quite plain to people that I'm happy at Cork City.  There are no other clubs on the horizon and nobody else involved,"

"(My) position needs clarification and the best way to do that is to talk," he added on RTE.  "The best way to talk is with mutual respect.

"The people who own our club are very successful people and deserve respect for their investment.  I want to see whatever is best for Cork City.  If it means me staying well and good.  I people feel it best for the club that I go, I will go."

Richardson added he would continue to prepare the team for next season and that he has already approached players about joining the Turner's Cross club.

Four Cork players are now out of contract but the board said they are so because "they have not yet accepted the offers on the table".

Tynan could not be contacted for comment.