Dundee have confirmed Ray Farningham has rejoined the club as assistant manager to Barry Smith.
The duo held talks along with Dens Park chief executive Scot Gardiner on Wednesday afternoon, with negotiations running smoothly and ”Jinky” was officially appointed on Thursday.
Farningham, who has been manager of Third Division Montrose for the last two seasons, leaves the Angus side for what will be his third spell with Dundee.
The 51-year-old played for the club in the 1990s and then worked with the youth set-up at Dens.
He was made redundant when the club entered administration in 2003 but linked up with Jocky Scott as assistant manager five years later.
Farningham and Scott then left the club in acrimonious circumstances in 2010, with Farningham going on to become manager at Links Park.
He said: ”Firstly, I would like to thank the board of directors of Montrose FC for allowing Dundee Football Club to speak to me.
”I am delighted to be back at Dundee to assist Barry, who was my major reason for returning to Dens. Hopefully together we can get Dundee back to the Premier League where we belong.”
Smith said: ”I am delighted to have Ray joining the coaching staff. He has great experience, which will be invaluable to me in the coming seasons.
”I would also like to thank Montrose FC for giving me the opportunity to speak to Ray in order to bring him to Dundee.”
Montrose have moved quickly to appoint Farningham’s successor, with Links Park assistant boss Stuart Garden being promoted to manager with immediate effect.
Gable Endies chairman Derek Sim said: ”When Dundee approached us asking permission to speak to Ray, we knew he would find it difficult to turn down a full-time position, especially as he probably has unfinished business at the club.
”He leaves with the best wishes of everyone at Montrose and he will always be welcome here.
”Ray is an excellent coach and a first-class manager and it was unfortunate that our results didn’t reflect the amount of work he put in. After Dundee contacted us we had a board meeting and decided that if Ray was to leave then Stuart would be our preferred candidate.
”He really impressed us at a subsequent meeting and we had no hesitation in appointing him. His appointment also gives us some continuity and the players know and respect him.
”We have re-signed 11 players from last season’s squad, so Stuart already has a nucleus to work with. He will now try to bring in some new players in a bid to propel us into the play-off spots next season.”
Garden is looking to quickly appoint an assistant and Courier Sport understands former Scotland, Dundee and Dundee United centre-half Lee Wilkie is one of the favourites for the job.