East Fife chairman Sid Collumbine says the club had to sack manager John Robertson to end the uncertainty surrounding his position.
Robertson had publicly acknowledged that the travelling up and down the road from his home in Inverness was placing a heavy burden on him.
He openly pondered giving up in favour of assistant boss Gordon Durie. Now the decision has been taken out of his hands, with the Fifers’ board concluding that they had to act for the welfare of the club. Durie becomes interim manager and will take the team for Saturday’s game against Arbroath at Gayfield.
Former Hearts and Livingston striker Robertson was appointed manager in October 2010.
”I think it was inevitable that we would end up where are now,” said Collumbine. ”John had said several times that the travelling back and forth was affecting him. It almost seemed he was staying on perhaps out of loyalty and didn’t want to walk away.
”Well, we have taken the decision now because we have to start planning for the future and he understands that. The hope is that this will draw a line under the uncertainty.
”John has accepted the decision gracefully, saying that’s football, and he thanked the board, staff, players and fans for their support during his time with East Fife. We would like to thank him for all his efforts and help since joining us.”
Collumbine confirmed Durie will be in command for the match against the Lichties.
The former Rangers, Tottenham and Scotland man, who started his career in Methil in the 1980s, will be a prime candidate to take charge on a permanent basis.
”Gordon is very much in our thoughts and we had no hesitation in naming him interim manager,” added Collumbine. ”He was very experienced as a player and is also a very nice chap.”