Dunfermline Athletic have parted ways with manager James McPake and assistant Dave Mackay, with the team currently positioned second from the bottom in the Scottish Championship.
The decision comes after back-to-back 2-0 away losses to Raith Rovers and Greenock Morton, both of whom are also in the lower half of the table, heightening relegation concerns.
Dunfermline said on their website: “The management duo made a great impact on arrival at the club, leading us to the League One title during a record-breaking season in 2022-23.
“However, this season has proven challenging and the club board felt the need to make a change as we head into January.”
Former centre-half James McPake, who played for Livingston, Morton, Coventry City, Hibernian, and Dundee, began his managerial career with Dundee, guiding them to promotion to the Premiership during his three-year tenure.
The 40-year-old later led Dunfermline Athletic to a sixth-place finish in their first season back in the Championship. However, the team now sits three points behind Hamilton Academical and nine points clear of bottom-placed Airdrieonians.
Dunfermline announced that the decision to dismiss McPake was made by the current board, with their plans communicated to the club’s prospective investor. The Fife club has been up for sale since August, following an announcement by German football investment group Fussball GmbH.
In the interim, under-18 and reserve team coach John McLaughlan has been tasked with preparing the squad for Friday’s match against the Championship leaders.
This development leaves both Fife clubs in the Championship searching for new managers, as Neill Collins recently departed Raith Rovers to take charge of Sacramento Republic in the USL Championship after a brief three-month stint at Stark’s Park.