Forfar Athletic issued a statement yesterday detailing their reasons for the shock sacking of boss Dick Campbell as well as his brother and assistant Ian, insisting that a change of direction was required.
Courier Sport understands that Stewart Petrie, the former Arbroath assistant manager who has been coaching at Station Park, is the firm favourite to take over from Campbell, with Loons youth coach Barry Sellars set to be named as his assistant.
In the meantime, the club admitted that while the sacking of the popular Campbell will not have been met with universal approval, it was a move they felt they had to take.
The statement read: “Following yesterday’s defeat by Cowdenbeath which brought our run to 11 league games and three months since we last won a league match, the Board of Directors decided that a change of management at the club was necessary.
“The decision to bring to an end Dick Campbell’s seven and a half year tenure as manager of Forfar Athletic Football Club was obviously taken somewhat reluctantly and with a heavy heart and the board realise it will not be a universally or even perhaps locally popular one.
“However, they felt that a change of direction was required as the club’s slide down the Ladbrokes League 1 table continued.
“It goes without saying that they would wish to thank Dick and his brother Ian for their contribution to Forfar Athletic since May of 2008 and they will always be welcome guests at Station Park at any time in the future.”