The 2013 All-Ireland winning manager had asked his players to meet and discuss the direction of the group, which they did last night.

Fitzgerald had hinted to players in the dressing room following the All-Ireland quarter-final to Galway that he was going to step away. Although the Sixmilebridge man was enticed by the prospect of working another season with Dónal Óg Cusack, he wasn’t going to make a decision on his future until his players had met.

The news follows the Clare People’s report that some players have expressed a wish for a change of management although there is not believed to be animosity between them and management in that regard. Fitzgerald, who has been on holiday in the US since Friday, is expected to release a statement in the next day or two.

Speaking about his future last month, he said: “I have another year’s contract with Clare, we’ll see what happens. I haven’t even honestly thought about it, what I want to do.

"I think that’s only fair. I look back at what we’ve achieved with Clare, even over the last number of years and I’m proud of what the lads have done.

"I’m proud of the backroom staff, they’ve been brilliant. What we do from here, I’m not sure, but it’s been a great spin.”

The 45-year-old appeared on the sideline against Galway after undergoing heart surgery just days before. Earlier this month, it was announced that coach Paul Kinnerk was linking up with Limerick for 2017, while Podge Collins has stated he will not be a dual inter-county player next season but has not yet revealed whether it will be football or hurling.