EAST END VACANCY ‘STILL A GREAT JOB’

Dunfermline aim to make a quick appointment of a replacement for John Hughes after insisting the vacant post is “still a great job”, despite relegation to League One.

Hughes stepped aside on Thursday following failure to keep the Pars in the Championship after their dramatic play-off defeat to Queen’s Park.

With rivals Raith Rovers and Dundee also currently seeking a new manager, as well as suggestions Stuart Taylor could leave Hamilton Accies, Dunfermline are aware there could be stiff competition for whoever they identify as the ideal candidate.

Chief executive David Cook, who has also taken on the chairman’s role since the departure of Ross McArthur, said: “We’ve spent a bit of time thinking about the particular profile we’re looking for in the next manager of Dunfermline Athletic.

“We’ve got a pretty clear idea in our minds of what that’s going to look like. Now, it’s about matching candidates.

“One thing I will say is the Dunfermline Athletic job is still a great job.

“We’ve got a great stadium here, a good fan base, great projects going on in terms of developing our own academy and training base.

“So, for hungry and ambitious managers, I’m sure they’ll look at the task of helping Dunfermline Athletic as a really exciting one.”

Arbroath boss Dick Campbell, Airdrie’s Ian Murray, Kevin Thomson of Kelty Hearts, ex-Dundee manager James McPake and former Ross County boss Stuart Kettlewell have all been linked.

Cook added: “We’re laser-focused on the identification of a new manager who can embrace everything we’re trying to do at Dunfermline and make us really competitive in League One.

“The search is well under way. We’ve looked at various different candidates.

“It’s difficult to put a time stamp on anything, but we’re aware that the quicker we can make a decision then the quicker we can get on with planning the squad and making sure we’re best prepared for the season ahead.”