COWDENBEATH have announced this evening (Thursday) that they have parted company with manager Maurice Ross.

In a statement released tonight, the club revealed that a mutual agreement had been reached "in order to allow the process of building for next season to begin".

Colin Jack has become interim manager and his first game will be this Saturday away to East Stirlingshire at Falkirk Stadium (3pm).

The club said: "The club wishes to thank Maurice for all his hard work and the total commitment he has shown in his efforts to develop a squad which could take us forward in our determination to return to the SPFL at the earliest opportunity.

"He leaves behind foundations upon which we can and must build.

"We wish him and his family all the very best for the future confident in the knowledge that he has a long career in football ahead of him.

"We can advise that Colin Jack has accepted an invitation to take up the post of interim manager."

Ross was appointed Cowdenbeath manager in November 2021, but could not prevent the club being relegated from League Two to the Lowland League; ending a 117-year stay in the Scottish League.

His last game in charge was Saturday's 4-0 home defeat to Berwick Rangers, with former fan favourite Liam Buchanan scoring a hat-trick for the visitors.

The club are currently 15th in the 19-team Lowland League.

Donald Findlay, chairman, said: “I am saddened to see Maurice leave the club. I am personally grateful for his constant striving to create a better future for us.

"I know from first-hand experience that he is an outstanding coach and a thoroughly genuine and decent human being.

"It has been a true privilege working with him and to be able to regard him as a friend.

"I wish him every success in the future."

Ross has stated he is "immensely proud" of his tenure at Cowdenbeath, and will look back on his time in Fife "with a warm heart".

He commented: "The circumstances we have worked under these last 17 months have been quite incredible.

"It has made me appreciate the work that goes into keeping clubs like ours afloat.

"I have forged many wonderful relationships and I will always look back at my time in Fife with a warm heart.

"The time has come to move on and allow the club to prepare for next year under new stewardship. The building blocks are there to develop this young squad.

"I wish my chairman Donald Findlay nothing but success.

"A more passionate, loyal and warm chairman you could ever ask for.

"Thank you to everyone for the unwavering support my staff and I have been given.

"Thank you."