East Fife are looking for a new manager after Gary Naysmith was confirmed as the new boss of Queen of the South.
The Championship side have confirmed that they have completed a deal with the Methil club to secure the services of Naysmith, who will take over the reins next week following East Fife’s Scottish Cup replay against Edinburgh City.
Naysmith has been at the helm of the Fifers since December 2013, having been named as caretaker manager following the departure of ex-boss Willie Aitchison the previous month.
The 38-year-old former Scotland international has enhanced his reputation in the dugout and steered the Fifers to promotion to League One last season.
Indeed, Naysmith was one of the names linked with the Hearts job following Robbie Neilson’s departure to MK Dons.
In a statement on the Queen of the South website, Naysmith said of his appointment: “I’m thrilled to be taking over at Queens – they are a decent sized club with plenty of potential.
“I’ve loved my time at East Fife and thank them for giving me the opportunity, but I’m delighted to be making the move back to a full time club and being able to work with the players on a daily basis.
“Queens have some decent players within the squad and I’m looking forward to working with them to achieve success.”
Defender Naysmith started his senior career with the Tynecastle side before moving to England where he played for Sheffield United, Huddersfield and most notably Everton.
On returning to Scotland he joined Aberdeen before taking over as manager at East Fife.
Queens chairman Billy Hewitson said everyone at the club was “delighted” to welcome Naysmith to Palmerston.
“With his involvement at another club, it’s been a complicated process and not as straightforward as some would’ve liked, but we feel we have appointed the right person and we look forward to working with him,” he concluded.
