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Cove Rangers is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim McIntyre as the club’s new manager.

Jim brings with him a wealth of experience in the game, having previously been in charge of four other Scottish clubs. He led Dunfermline to the First Division title in 2011 and claimed Ross County’s first piece of major silverware when winning the Scottish League Cup in 2016.

The post, made vacant when Paul Hartley left for Hartlepool, drew applications from across the country and further afield, but chairman, Keith Moorhouse, while admitting that made the process more difficult, is convinced he has the right man,

“I was delighted with the quality and quantity of applicants. There were some big names in for the job, guys who, like Jim McIntyre, have been winners both as players and in management. I said right at the start that we wouldn’t be rushed, that the most important thing was not how long it took, but that we made the right call. I believe we have done just that in appointing Jim”.

The chairman and director of football, John Sheran, had the task of sifting through the names, eventually whittling the list down, and conducting a number of interviews. Even at that stage, more applications were landing at the club. Keith says all were given due consideration,

“It felt as if every time we had got the list sorted, there was another name in the frame! That did make life a bit harder, but it was a great problem to have. John and I had further discussions and agreed on the short list for the final round of interviews. Those on it were very impressive candidates, but it was Jim who ticked most boxes, and we’re thrilled he will be joining us on the journey.

“I sought advice from senior, respected figures within the game, including some who have worked with Jim in the past. Without exception, they gave him a glowing recommendation.

“He has experience of the league, has a strong track record, and after his lay-off, a real fire in his belly. Jim has maintained his links in Scottish football, has a brilliant network, and most importantly of all, showed us he really wanted the job”.

Jim McIntyre’s playing career spanned almost two decades. He came to the fore at Airdrieonians, joined Kilmarnock in 1996 and was a key figure in their Scottish Cup victory twelve months later. Three years at Reading – where he won a Scotland B cap – were followed by five more at Dundee United, and he retired at Dunfermline in 2009. He took his first steps in management at East End Park, leading the side to promotion to the SPL in 2011. After a spell coaching at Bristol City with Derek McInnes, Jim was hired by Queen of the South and led them to the Premiership play-offs. A move to Ross County brought the highlight of his managerial career with a 2-1 win over Hibernian in the 2016 Scottish League Cup Final, and with assistant, Billy Dodds, he secured a top six finish for the Dingwall club. His most recent job was at Dundee.

“This opportunity has come right out of the blue,” he told the club website. “It’s amazing how these things can happen when you least expect them. It’s a challenge I’m hugely excited about! Paul Hartley did a brilliant job and I know the club is probably ahead of where it expected to be; it’s up to me to build on the successes of the last few years, and I’m confident I can do that.

“I did my due diligence and got nothing but positive feedback about Cove Rangers and how the club is run. I’ve been told they’re guys who will offer the support and backing any manager needs. Relationships are so important in football, the chance to work with good people means a lot to me.

“The next few days are going to be pretty hectic as I get to know the players and assess what we need for the coming season, but I’m really looking forward to it, and can’t wait to get started!”

Jim has signed a one year rolling contract and will start his new role with immediate effect. His ex-Airdrieonians team-mate, Jimmy Boyle, has been appointed as assistant manager.

The new management team’s first game in charge of Cove Rangers will be the Stuart McKenzie Testimonial against Jim’s former club Dunfermline, a 1.00pm kick-off at Balmoral Stadium on Saturday, June 25^th.

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