Two-time Sheffield United promotion winner Mark Duffy has left his post as Southport manager less than three weeks after his appointment.

The non-league club announced on Tuesday afternoon that Duffy, 41, had left following the mutual termination of his contract. He was appointed Southport manager on a permanent basis on October 1, having initially spent a short period in caretaker charge.

Having taken charge of just two matches as permanent manager, Duffy, who spent four years at Bramall Lane during his playing career, oversaw a 1-0 defeat away to Harborough Town and a 2-0 home defeat to Radcliffe on Saturday.

The back-to-back defeats have left Southport sitting 22nd in the National League North table, having collected just nine points from their first 12 matches of the season.

A statement issued by the club said: “Southport Football Club can confirm that Mark Duffy has left his position as First Team Manager following the mutual termination of his contract.

“The club would like to thank Mark for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.”

After spells as an assistant to former Bolton Wanderers and Crystal Palace midfielder Neil Danns, as well as a stint as caretaker manager, Duffy was viewed as the ideal candidate to turn Southport’s fortunes around following their slow start to the season. The club currently sit three points adrift of safety in England’s sixth tier.

After being given the job earlier this month, Duffy, who scored 15 goals in 121 appearances for the Blades, said: “I’m extremely proud to be given the opportunity to do it. Obviously it’s been a bit of a whirlwind couple of weeks for everybody involved and I think obviously after the weekend we had a chat with the owners.

“I was honest with them and said we sort of need to make a decision one way or another because we all want what’s best for the club really. They spoke to me yesterday and said they wanted me to do it, and take the club forward. Obviously I will absolutely give my all as always.”