Hughes position uncertain as Dunfermline put football department ‘under review’ after relegation

Dunfermline Athletic have placed their entire football department under review following the club’s relegation to League One.

In a statement which did not refer to the position of manager John Hughes directly, the board of directors outlined a number of changes to the offpitchstructureateastendpark in the wake of Saturday's defeat to Queen's Park in the Championship play-off semi-final.

Among them include David Cook, the club's current CEO, taking on the additional role of chairman with Ross Mcarthur stepping down in a prearranged move. Chris Mcbay has also left the board, along with club legend Jim Leishman, who will take up a new position as club ambassador.

The changes aim to create “a leaner and more flexible structure in order to be able to act more decisively and swiftly in the future”.

Sporting director Thomas Meggle – one of the investors involved with majority shareholders DAFC Fussball Gmbh – is also set to play a bigger role in the football structure alongsidethecoachingstaff"withthe aimofbringingaboutamarked improvementinperformance".

Onthepositionofhughesand the rest of the first-team squad, the Pars statement read: "The footballing departments and squadplansarecurrentlyunder review.theboardwillkeepyou informed as things progress.

"We acknowledge relegation has been an awful experience andweapologiseforthat.however, the club must now look aheadtodoallitcantoimprove sporting performances and results, and we are confident that we can bounce back from this torrid season.

"We understand and respect howdisappointedfansareright now, but we will do everything within our power to bring back successtoeastendparkandwe really hope that you will join us on this journey ahead."

The statement added: "Everyone on the board of DAFC is deeply disappointed with this past season, which culminated inrelegationtoleagueone.we are not just disappointed in the relegation itself, but also in the manner in which the relegation came about, with standards falling well short of what we all expect.

"As the board, we accept ultimate responsibility for this. Bouncing back from this gutwrenching setback will not happen unless things change, andchangeswithintheclubare already well underway.”