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Levein poised as Leishman resigns Levein poised as Leishman resigns
(30 minutes later)
Jim Leishman has confirmed that he is stepping down as Dunfermline Athletic manager, with Raith Rovers' Craig Levein being approached to take over.Jim Leishman has confirmed that he is stepping down as Dunfermline Athletic manager, with Raith Rovers' Craig Levein being approached to take over.
Leishman has announced he will remain at the Scottish Premier League club in another capacity, likely to be his former role as director of football. Leishman has announced he will remain at the Scottish Premier League club, returning to his former role as director of football.
He made up his mind after Monday's 4-0 home defeat by Hibernian.He made up his mind after Monday's 4-0 home defeat by Hibernian.
"The plan was to continue to stay until the end of the season, but I think I made the right decision," he said."The plan was to continue to stay until the end of the season, but I think I made the right decision," he said.
Levein met Gavin Masterton, the club's major shareholder, on Wednesday night.Levein met Gavin Masterton, the club's major shareholder, on Wednesday night.
An agreement in principle is thought to have been reached with the former Hearts and Leicester City manager. You would have to ask the chairman what he thinks about my decision Jim Leishman An agreement in principle is thought to have been reached with the former Hearts and Leicester City manager. We are very fortunate to retain Jim Leishman's experience and skills Dunfermline Athletic chief executive Bill Hodgins
But, although an announcement appeared imminent, there was speculation on Thursday that Levein had rejected the offer from his hometown club. But there was speculation on Thursday that Levein had rejected the offer from his hometown club.
Whoever succeeds him, Thursday's announcement brought to an end Leishman's second spell as Pars manager. In a statement, Dunfermline said: "At present, the club is not in a position to make an announcement on a new manager and therefore, in the interim, Craig Robertson will act as caretaker manager for the game against Hearts this Saturday."
It brings to an end Leishman's second spell as Pars manager.
Chief executive Bill Hodgins said: "Jim has been a loyal servant to DAFC since he returned in 2003 and we are very fortunate to retain his experience and skills and to benefit from his enormous enthusiasm for Dunfermline Athletic."
He had stepped into the void following the departure of Davie Hay in May 2005 and kept the club in the Scottish Premier League with victories over Dundee and Dundee United.He had stepped into the void following the departure of Davie Hay in May 2005 and kept the club in the Scottish Premier League with victories over Dundee and Dundee United.
But the Pars again finished 11th last season and presently lie one place above the relegation spot once more.But the Pars again finished 11th last season and presently lie one place above the relegation spot once more.
"I made up my mind on Tuesday, but I couldn't get hold of chairman John Yorkston because he is in Cyprus for his son's wedding," he said."I made up my mind on Tuesday, but I couldn't get hold of chairman John Yorkston because he is in Cyprus for his son's wedding," he said.
"But I called him this morning to inform him that I was standing down to make way for someone else."But I called him this morning to inform him that I was standing down to make way for someone else.
"He seemed surprised, but you would have to ask him what he thinks about my decision, I will not put words in his mouth.""He seemed surprised, but you would have to ask him what he thinks about my decision, I will not put words in his mouth."
Levein took over at Stark's Park in September but was working without a contract.Levein took over at Stark's Park in September but was working without a contract.
Leishman had put forward Aberdour-born Levein's name to the board as an ideal successor along with Livingston manager John Robertson.Leishman had put forward Aberdour-born Levein's name to the board as an ideal successor along with Livingston manager John Robertson.
However, it is understood that the First Division club have a clause in Robertson's contract demanding £70,000 compensation should he leave for another club.However, it is understood that the First Division club have a clause in Robertson's contract demanding £70,000 compensation should he leave for another club.
Craig Robertson, who had been Leishman's assistant at Dunfermline, will stay on the coaching staff.
Dunfermline will become the third Fife club to be managed by Levein, should he be confirmed as the new boss at East End Park.Dunfermline will become the third Fife club to be managed by Levein, should he be confirmed as the new boss at East End Park.
The former Hearts and Scotland defender began his managerial career a few miles away at Cowdenbeath's Central Park.The former Hearts and Scotland defender began his managerial career a few miles away at Cowdenbeath's Central Park.
He went on to take charge of Hearts and Leicester.He went on to take charge of Hearts and Leicester.