Outgoing Dunfermline Athletic boss Jim Jefferies maintains he has no regrets about deciding to step aside at East End Park following more than two-and-a-half years in charge.
As revealed by The Courier, the 64-year-old had been considering his position after a string of poor results and informed the board yesterday that he felt the time was now to right to leave the club.
Head coach John Potter, who has brought great success to the Pars’ youth ranks in recent years, will take responsibility for first team affairs until the end of the season, with Neil McCann set to continue as assistant manager.
Jefferies gathered his squad together at Pitreavie early yesterday morning to tell them of the news and, speaking to The Courier just moments afterwards, the veteran boss said he hopes the move will give the Pars a fresh start as they seek promotion back to the Championship.
“After Saturday’s result I had to think about it over the weekend, about going into the next game,” he explained.
“I just felt it was maybe the right thing to do, given that I didn’t have long until I retired anyway.
“I thought ‘let’s give them a wee chance to get some breathing space from any pressure that’s been put on them’ and I hope the fans get behind them.
“They’re still a young side and they’re needing encouragement, not anybody getting at them.
“A lot of them are kids that haven’t handled that before and it might have an adverse effect on them.
“So hopefully the fans get behind the players and get behind John and Neil.
“I’ve been there every day at training but I’ve given them a wee bit more to do over the last year or so.
“John has experience of playing for a long time.
“It’s his first managerial role and Neil will assist him, and Neil has played at a high level.
“They’re in good hands and I just hope they go and do it.
“But, more importantly, I hope they do it for themselves.
“They know what is at stake, they can get a better lifestyle if they get promoted, bigger bonuses, better contracts, sustain a full-time job.
“I’ve got nothing but admiration for a lot of people at the club and I’ve had a good time, they’ve always made me feel welcome.
“They’ve done fantastically well to keep the club alive and it’s about keeping it going.
“There’s always criticism, but it’s normally down to 10 or 15 guys who think everything’s wrong.
“That’s fine, they’re entitled to their opinion.
“But there’s a lot of good people about this club and a lot of people who have made it very, very enjoyable to come and work for them.
“My staff around about me have been terrific as well.”
Potter and McCann will take charge of Saturday’s home game against Stranraer, and took training just minutes after Jefferies’ announcement.