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Levein poised as Leishman resigns Leishman stands down as Pars boss
(about 1 hour 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 a major target.
Leishman has announced he will remain at the Scottish Premier League club, returning to 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.
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 there was speculation on Thursday that Levein had rejected the offer from his hometown club.
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.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." Leishman 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. We are very fortunate to retain Jim Leishman's experience and skills Dunfermline Athletic chief executive Bill Hodgins
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 met Gavin Masterton, the club's major shareholder, on Wednesday night.
There was speculation on Thursday that Levein had rejected the offer from his hometown club.
Levein took over at Raith Rovers at the start of September
However, although Yorkston told BBC Sport that Levein would be among their favoured contenders, he insisted that nobody had yet been offered the job.
"The board will meet on Sunday to draw up a shortlist and Jim Leishman will be speaking to a number of candidates," he said.
Amid reports that not all is going well at Sydney, former Motherwell manager Terry Butcher could also become a candidate.
And Inverness Caledonian Thistle assistant Donald Park might also wish a return to the east of Scotland.
Meanwhile, Leishman's assistant, Craig Robertson, will act as caretaker manager for Saturday's meeting with Hearts, with whom Levein was both player and head coach.
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.
Dunfermline will become the third Fife club to be managed by Levein, should he be confirmed as the new boss at East End Park. Levein, previously with Leicester City, had taken over at Stark's Park in September but is working without a contract.
The former Hearts and Scotland defender began his managerial career a few miles away at Cowdenbeath's Central Park. Meanwhile, Dunfermline chief executive Bill Hodgins was pleased that Leishman was remaining as director of football.
He went on to take charge of Hearts and Leicester. "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 said.