Dunfermline Athletic are on the lookout for a new manager after confirming that John Potter is to step down.
The lifelong Pars fan succeeded former boss Jim Jefferies in December but, after a disappointing string of results, the board at East End Park have decided the time is right for a change.
Potter, who is expected to remain in charge for this weekend’s game at Airdrieonians, will revert to his previous coaching role next season, while his assistant Neil McCann has decided to leave the club altogether at the end of the current campaign.
The decision comes after a shocking downturn in fortunes for the Fife club, who had been one of the pre-season favourites for promotion back to the Championship this year.
Their promotion bid stuttered in December, prompting Jim Jefferies’ decision to step aside, and Potter took charge.
However, the Fife club said today that despite Potter putting his “heart and soul” into the role, it had not worked out as the club had hoped.
Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Forfar saw Dunfermline slip to a disappointing seventh in the table, well off the promotion pace.
A club statement said: “As has been said many times, football is a results based business – that is the harsh reality.
“As a “football club” we have, off the park, come a long way in a short time.
“On the park, however, the lack of progress has been deeply disappointing, and now needs overhauled.
“As a Board we accept that not every Pars fan either buys into, or even cares about, the benefits of our being a community owned club; what they do care about is progress and success on the park.
“There is an expectation level at our club that needs to be met, at times this season the team have clearly not risen to the challenge.
“The recruitment of the right manager and in turn the right types of player is now critical.”
Eyes will now turn to potential successors and there are already a few names in the frame.
Former boss Jimmy Calderwood is said to be keen on a return to Scottish football, while the likes of Stranraer boss Stevie Aitken, Brechin manager Ray McKinnon and Airdrieonians boss Gary Bollan are among those also being linked with the post at this early stage.