Assistant manager Ged McNamee has also departed Victoria Park.
A club statement explained: “A more detailed statement will follow this afternoon but suffice to say this incredibly difficult decision has been made with a heavy heart, as both men have worked tirelessly for the Club in the last eighteen months.”
Here, we asses who could take the reins at the North East club now Hignett has departed.
Scroll down and click through the pages to view the runners and riders for the job.
Here, we asses who could take the reins at the North East club now Hignett has departed.