QUEEN of the South sensationally parted company with manager Wullie Gibson on Wednesday evening following a mid-season review.
The Doonhamers hierarchy have decided that results in League One have not been good enough and the time is now right for the 38-year-old to step aside.
Chairman Billy Hewitson said: “There is no doubt that Wullie is Queen of the South through and through and wants the best for the club.
“He is a young manager who deserved the opportunity, but football is a results-based business, and we aren’t happy with the season so far and we have to do what we feel is best for the club. We thank Wullie for his efforts and wish him well for the future.”
Offering his own verdict, Wullie added: “I’m obviously extremely disappointed. The season has been frustrating for everyone and hasn’t gone the way we hoped due to inconsistency.
“I still believe in the players and hope they can push up the table. “Although it hasn’t turned out how I’d hoped, I thank the club for the opportunity and wish them and the players the best going forward.”
Gibson took over the hot-seat at his boyhood club in February, where he was enjoying his third spell as a player, following the sacking of Allan Johnston. Unfortunately Queens did not achieve enough points in the remaining fixtures to escape the Championship drop.
But that did not stop Gibson from getting the job on a permanent basis in May alongside assistant Grant Murray.
Together the management duo got straight down to business in a bid to build a squad capable of making a rapid return to the Scottish second tier.
However, things have not been plain-sailing and the side have endured a stop-start season so far. They have been unable to reach a consistent level of performance and sit seventh in the league.
With the January transfer window just around the corner, Gibson’s successor will have their own chance to stamp authority on the squad ahead of a promotion push in the second half of the season.
Some of the names being discussed on social media include Grant Murray, Peter Murphy, Kevin Thomson, Paul Hartley and Danny Grainger. Some fans have even touted the return of Allan Johnston.
