IAN RUSH was today finalising his departure from Chester City by mutual consent.
The Liverpool legend will end his seven month spell at the Deva Stadium following a series of disagreements with chairman Stephen Vaughan regarding the running of the club.
Rush's first stint in league management began in August when he took over a side in dire straits, but he impressively guided the side to a position of safety.
Chester were bottom of League Two with just two points from their first six games when Rush arrived.
The former Anfield striker coach's task then was simply to ensure the side avoided a return to the Conference and consolidate their position in the league.
However, a long unbeaten run at the start of his reign saw expectations spiral out of control.
Rush was named manager of the month in October, stayed loyal to Chester after an approach from the Welsh FA and will leave with a far from disappointing record of losing just eleven of his 35 games in charge.
With the club now effectively safe from relegation, murmurings about the team's failure to push for a play-off position placed unrealistic pressure on a manager who wanted the backing to build his own side over a long period.
But a 5-0 defeat to Shrewsbury last weekend appears to have been the final straw.
Lack of finances, despite Rush significantly reducing the wage bill and having to offload his best players, increased the tension between manager and chairman.
Rush's assistant Mark Aizlewood will also leave the club, with a formal announcement expected from Chester this evening.
