This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dunfermline_athletic/6086130.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Leishman stands down as Pars boss | Leishman stands down as Pars boss |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Jim Leishman has confirmed that he is stepping down as Dunfermline Athletic manager, with Raith Rovers' Craig Levein being a major target. | 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. |
| It brings to an end Leishman's second spell as Pars manager. | It brings to an end Leishman's second spell as Pars manager. |
| 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. | 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. |
| We are very fortunate to retain Jim Leishman's experience and skills Dunfermline Athletic chief executive Bill Hodgins | 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 met Gavin Masterton, the club's major shareholder, on Wednesday night. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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 before then," he said. | |
| Amid reports that not all is going well at Sydney, former Motherwell manager Terry Butcher could also become a candidate. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Levein, previously with Leicester City, had taken over at Stark's Park in September but is working without a contract. | Levein, previously with Leicester City, had taken over at Stark's Park in September but is working without a contract. |
| Meanwhile, Dunfermline chief executive Bill Hodgins was pleased that Leishman was remaining as director of football. | Meanwhile, Dunfermline chief executive Bill Hodgins was pleased that Leishman was remaining as director of football. |
| "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. | "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. |