Ray McKinnon believes whoever succeeds him as Raith Rovers boss will take over at a club that is definitely going places.
As widely expected, the 45-year-old has been appointed as the new Dundee United manager after leaving the Kirkcaldy side on Wednesday.
McKinnon played with distinction for the Tangerines and has made no secret of his affection for the club.
So while he guided Raith to the Premiership promotion play-offs this season and had unfinished business at Stark’s Park, the lure of his home town side proved just too much for him to resist.
However, he is certain that everything is in place at Raith in terms of the playing squad and the people working behind the scenes, to ensure their recent success continues.
He said: “I would like to thank Raith Rovers for everything they did for me while I was at the club and for giving me the opportunity to manage a full-time team for the first time.
“They fought really hard to keep me at the club and while I have had a great spell at Stark’s Park, ultimately the lure of the Dundee United job just proved too hard to resist.
“Raith are a fabulous, proper club with some great people behind the scenes and I will definitely miss them.
“The fans were also fantastic towards me.
“Hopefully we gave them a lot to cheer about this season and with the nucleus of the squad still in place for the next campaign, they will enjoy more success.
“Certainly, whoever comes in to replace me will be inheriting a really good job.
“I wish Raith all the best for the future and I will look forward to returning there with United next season.”
The Raith board were set to meet yesterday to start the process of looking for their new manager and drawing up a list of candidates.
Meanwhile, one prominent bookie has installed former Dundee boss Barry Smith as favourite to take over from McKinnon at Raith.
The 42-year-old was in charge of English side Aldershot Town this season but left the club last month after deciding to move back north for family reasons.
East Fife boss Gary Naysmith is second favourite while other names in the frame include everyone from Stuart McCall to former Raith boss John McGlynn.
