Dunfermline sack Tidser after 60 days in charge

Michael Tidser had been Kelty's player-manager since May 2023 before joining the Pars

Dunfermline Athletic have sacked head coach Michael Tidser after 60 days and 11 matches in charge.

The 35-year-old joined in the middle of January after a compensation package was finally agreed with neighbours Kelty Hearts following more than two weeks of negotiations.

But he oversaw just three wins - two in the Scottish Championship - and Friday night's Fife derby defeat by Raith Rovers triggered his exit.

The former Greenock Morton midfielder, who succeeded James McPake, leaves the Pars second bottom of the Championship table.

Assistant head coach Kevin McDonald, along with John McLaughlan and first-team midfielder David Wotherspoon, will take training in the interim period.

McDonald had joined Dunfermline to be Tidser's assistant, while McLaughlan had a three-game spell as caretaker while compensation was being agreed with Kelty, winning one, drawing one and losing one.

It leaves Dunfermline seeking their sixth manager in five years.

Chairman and chief executive David Cook said: "Clearly this has been a difficult spell for the club and our supporters. We wish Michael all the best and thank him for his efforts while head coach.

"We are now working on making an appointment to help us maintain our league status."

A victory and a draw in their last two matches has brought the Championship's bottom side, Airdrieonians, to within six points of the Pars, who sit in the relegation play-off place, one point adrift of Hamilton Academical in eighth.