Tuesday 16 December 2014 15:20, UK
Jim Jefferies has resigned as manager of Scottish League One side Dunfermline.
The Pars lost 3-1 away to Airdrieonians in the league in midweek and were beaten by the same score at home to Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last weekend.
Head coach John Potter will take over first team affairs until the end of this season, with Neil McCann continuing as assistant manager, as Athletic attempt to regain some momentum as they look to gain promotion to the Scottish Championship.
"Jim’s intention had been to step aside at the end of the year with the team at the top of the league, and pass the reins on to John and Neil, with whom he has worked closely over the last three seasons," read a statement on the club’s official website.
"Unfortunately, recent results have not been satisfactory so Jim has decided that it is in the best interests of our club that he should step aside now.
"The Board wish to place on record once again their extreme gratitude to Jim Jefferies for everything that he has done for our club over the last couple of seasons. There is no doubt that many other managers might have walked away from our club, faced with the difficulties in front of him.
"Jim’s influence, experience, dignity and leadership were an integral part of the efforts to save our beloved club from insolvency. We ask all Pars fans to remember this as Jim’s legacy, and he will of course always be welcome at East End Park.
"The current season is pivotal to the long term survival and sustainability of our club as a full time team, so the Board felt action had to be taken to improve our immediate league position, and in turn increase our chances of promotion to the Championship.
Unfortunately, recent results have not been satisfactory so Jim has decided that it is in the best interests of our club that he should step aside now.
"John Potter and Neil McCann are both highly rated young coaches, and we ask every Pars fan to get behind John, Neil and the team for the rest of season as 'we're in this together' and to have any chance of realising our goal, we need everyone pulling in the same direction.
"All of us as Pars supporters have gone through too much in the last eighteen months to lose our focus or passion for our club at this difficult time."
McCann paid tribute to Jefferies, claiming his time at the club, and the part he played in preventing it being liquidated, will long be remembered by the East End Park fans.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "He is a man with great integrity who felt that this was the right time.
"Jim has taken the club through a very difficult period, of course administration, and to avoid liquidation was brilliant. He was a big part of that in terms of the stability that the manager offered the team.
Jim has taken the club through a very difficult period, of course administration, and to avoid liquidation was brilliant.
"Jim felt that stepping aside now and allowing John to take over there would possibly be a freshness which could be needed to get the results back on track and obviously play a part in Dunfermline getting back into the Championship."
Jefferies managed Hearts on two separate occasions and was also in charge at Kilmarnock for eight years. He was appointed Pars boss in March 2012 but will now give way to Potter and McCann.
