It has been nearly two weeks since we made the decision to change our manager. The process of appointing a new manager can be a lengthy one and we have spent those near two weeks reviewing the 50 plus applications we have received and trying to reduce that to a manageable number to interview. Tony's experience has been invaluable and a couple of our existing board members have past experience when it comes to this so, as a board, we are not entirely new to it all.
We started the process by aiming high and approached a couple of ex-English Premier League managers. It was always going to be a long shot but I believed, after meeting them, that one of them might have paid off but it wasn't to be. With the breaking news in England regarding the managerial scandal, I feel it's no coincidence that one of them may be waiting it out to see if anything becomes available down south. However, it was worth a try and we thank him for coming in to speak to us. We had a few productive chats and I gained valuable insight into what it takes to be a top manager.
After that we then looked closer to home and had another worthwhile conversation with one of the leading agents in Scottish football. One of his clients was high on our list to interview but unfortunately, as it stands, he wants another crack at trying to be a success in England and we wish him well.
We have now whittled down our list and hope to finish the interviewing process early next week with the aim of having someone in place prior to next Saturday's trip to Easter Road to face Hibernian in the IRN-BRU Cup. That list contains a good blend of experienced and up-and-coming managers. We know how important it is to get the right person in and rest assured that when we appoint someone we'll have done everything we can and carried out all due diligence to ensure that they are the best person for the job. For us it is important to get some stability and start planning for the long term.
I also have to ask you for your support at tomorrow's game against Falkirk. It was a big, and costly, decision to change manager and we need all the support we can get through the turnstiles. While the result against Dunfermline last week was not what we wanted, you could see the commitment from the players for 90 minutes and I can assure you that they are working as hard as they can to turn things around.
As a club we need your support more than ever right now, so please come to the game on Saturday and drag along any doubters and get right behind the team.
Gordon.
