Peter Grant axed by Dunfermline after horror winless run as club promise 'robust' recruitment process

The Pars are yet to get a win in the Championship this season.

Struggling Dunfermline Athletic have ended Peter Grant’s ill-fated managerial stay.

The Pars board decided to end Grant’s rein after they blew a two goal lead and lost 4-2 to Arbroath on Saturday.

Grant has been under pressure since his appointment in the summer.

The Fifers, who were looking to push for promotion, are sitting rock bottom of the Championship without a win.

First-team coaches Greg Shields and Steven Whittaker have been put in temporary charge, ahead of the weekend clash with second-bottom Morton this weekend.

A Dunfermline statement read: ‘We would like to place on record our thanks to Peter for his efforts, hard work and professionalism during his time at East End Park, and we wish him and his family every success in the future.

A fresh robust recruitment process to find a replacement for Peter to lead our club forward will start immediately. In the meantime, Greg Shields and Steven Whittaker have agreed to lead the team on an interim basis, and they will be supported by Sports Director, Thomas Meggle."

The German backers and board put out a statement backing former Alloa boss Grant a few weeks ago but at the same time managed to alienate a lot of their own support.

There was also dissent within the Pars squad but Grant was determined to stick to his principles.

Grant was named as East End manager in the summer despite being relegated from the Championship with Alloa Athletic.

The former Scotland coach only lasted 156 days, the second shortest in the club’s history.

Fans had been unhappy with Dunfermline’s results and they turned on their manager again on Saturday.

There have already been several applicants for the vacant managerial position.

The likes of former Hamilton boss Brian Rice is likely to come under consideration.