Paul Smith has resigned as assistant manager of Raith Rovers after six years at Stark’s Park.
The 51-year-old was in the dugout for the final time for Rovers’ 3-1 derby triumph over Cowdenbeath on Saturday after it was confirmed he was stepping down to focus on commitments away from the game.
Manager Grant Murray heaped praise on his departing No 2, insisting Raith would never have ended their 20-year trophy drought by winning the Ramsden’s Cup last season if not for Smith’s influence.
Murray also intimated that no direct replacement is imminent.
The Raith boss said: “What (Paul) has done for me, firstly when I came here as a player, then as my assistant, was massive. Without him, things could have been very different.
“I can only thank him for everything he has done. A massive part of my managerial career was winning the cup last year and I could not have done that without him.
“We don’t have a replacement lined up just now. It has only happened recently and I only told the players on Saturday.”
The 51-year-old took up his position in January 2008, when John McGlynn was manager, on a part-time basis.
With the club now full-time Smith feels the time is right as he is not involved with the players often enough.
“It has been a very difficult decision for me to make, but I know that it’s the right one for the football club and the right one for myself,” he said.
Stark’s Park Youth Academy director Hugh McCann has also left his post.
The derby win leaves Grant Murray’s men three points behind leaders Hearts.
Rovers had to overcome a couple of early blows to their derby challenge. Goalkeeper Kevin Cuthbert picked up an injury in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Ross Laidlaw, with Dave McGurn going on the bench, then after only seven minutes, centre-back Ross Perry limped off to be replaced by veteran Laurie Ellis, but it did not affect their challenge.
Both replacements played sound parts in the win and, after Mark Stewart had opened the scoring on the half-hour by running on to a long pass and outpacing the home defence, there was only going to be one winner.
The main surprise was it took the visitors until the 71st minute to get two ahead, when Lewis Vaughan headed home, and seven minutes later Ryan Conroy’s 35-yard wind-assisted free-kick made the points safe.
Cowden’s goal was a beauty, Lewis Milne firing a 22-yarder in off the underside of the bar, but it was much too little, too late.
Cowden boss Jimmy Nicholl, who revealed that Kenny Adamson’s metatarsal injury may keep him out for up to three months, described his team’s performance as “horrific”.
“We simply did not compete and that is not good enough. Players have to be prepared to take responsibility,” he said.