Why John Hughes exit was needed for Dunfermline fresh start – on and off the pitch

For the third time in the space of 12 months, Dunfermline are looking for a new manager.

Stevie Crawford; Peter Grant; John Hughes — all have exited East End Park during a miserable period at East End Park.

Hughes’ ‘resignation’ was confirmed on Thursday evening following lengthy discussions with the Pars hierarchy.

The news came 12 days after the Pars crashed down to League 1 following a playoff defeat against Queen’s Park.

And while his departure was anything but a formality following the drop, Courier Sport analyses why — considering the bigger picture — Dunfermline and Hughes had to go their separate ways.

John Hughes oversaw improvement — but ultimately failure

The former Falkirk and Hibs boss was brought in to salvage Dunfermline’s Championship status.

He failed in that brief.

Hughes’ league record was an improvement on his predecessor Grant. A point worth noting, given he had to effectively build a new squad in the space of six weeks.

From the date of Hughes’ appointment, Dunfermline (28) picked up more points than Raith Rovers (27), Ayr United (27) and Queen of the South (22) in the Championship. Not stellar; certainly not a capitulation.

That does not lessen the ignominy of the Pars’ 1-0 playoff defeat against Queen’s Park — a simply unacceptable result over two legs.

FT whistle at Dunfermline 0-1 Queen’s Park… pic.twitter.com/hCdOxJH2Fd

— Kenny Crawford (@KennyCrawford_) May 7, 2022

Yet, it is not inconceivable that, in slightly different circumstances, Hughes could have been kept on.

Courier Sport understands that, during a recent board meeting, the point was made that the club cannot simply keep changing bosses. The next manager will be its fourth in the space of one year.

However, there was ultimately a majority consensus that Hughes’ resignation would be an acceptable outcome for all parties.

A new regime needs a new start

A changing of the guard was going to occur regardless of Dunfermline’s league status.

It was hoped that a stable, fruitful transition from outgoing chairman Ross McArthur to new chief executive David Cook could occur with the club still in the Championship.

A more fraught summer now lies ahead.

Nevertheless, the opportunity to cultivate a sense of excitement — of a much-needed fresh start — still remains.

And it would have been impossible to create the required separation from the disappointments of last season with the same man occupying the dugout.

Under Cook — and with the financial backing of German investors DAFC Fussball GmbH — Dunfermline can seek to enthuse a disillusioned fanbase with a positive appointment and craft a winning side in a lower league.

All of which is no given, it should be said.

With Falkirk, Queen of the South, Airdrie and Kelty Hearts in the division, League 1 is a shark tank next season.

Nevertheless, the top gig on the Halbeath Road remains an inviting one for an ambitious coach.

Fans would have voted with their feet

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Dunfermline’s relegation was the apathy with which it was greeted.

Sure, there were a few choruses urging Yogi to walk away in blunt terms. There was another ditty referencing his previous time at Falkirk in unflattering terms.

But the vitriol that characterised the latter days of the Grant reign was absent.

For the most part, it was thundering indifference; a fanbase completely beaten into submission by the events of the 2021/22 campaign.

Just 3,179 supporters attended their playoff defeat against Queen’s Park at East End Park — more than 2,000 down on their Championship finale against Queen of the South.

The blunt fact is: if Hughes had remained in post, many fans would not have been back.

Their minds were made up. He was tainted by relegation.

The financial impact of that — let alone the miserable optics — would have been unacceptable to Cook, a man with a background in marketing with Celtic, Everton and Nottingham Forest.

Back in the third tier of the Scottish game, the Pars need the backing of their fans more than ever.

Which is all well and good…providing Dunfermline get it right this time

Allan Johnston was far from universally popular but guided Dunfermline to the promotion playoffs.

Stevie Crawford had plenty of naysayers but — if nothing else — would not have sent Dunfermline into a tailspin towards relegation in the space of three months.

Peter Grant was a disaster. Hughes’ salvage job was unsatisfactory.

That is not an impressive run of from the decision-makers at East End Park.

With McArthur now enjoying a richly-merited retirement from football (the last year does not wipe out almost a decade of work), it is beholden upon Cook and sporting director Thomas Meggle to get this one right.