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Michael Tidser (centre) was at East End Park as Dunfermline lost 2-0 to Ayr United on Tuesday Michael Tidser has been confirmed as Dunfermline Athletic's new head coach after a compensation package was agreed with neighbours Kelty Hearts following more than two weeks of negotiations. The 35-year-old former Greenock Morton midfielder, who had been the Scottish League 1 club's player-manager since May 2023, brings with him assistant Kevin Mc Donald on two-and-a-half year contracts. They will take charge for the first time as the Championship side entertain Stenhousemuir, who sit one place above Kelty in second place in the third tier, in the Scottish Cup fourth round on Saturday. Announcing the deal, Dunfermline pointed out that Tidser had "steered Kelty Hearts to their highest-ever league finish, sixth place in League 1", last season and had beaten top-flight side Hibernian in this season's Premier Sports Cup. Potential Scottish Cup upsets, a city derby & big TV days out Listen: Scottish Cup weekend preview He had joined the Fife club from Falkirk in February 2020 and famously scored the winning goal in the Pyramid Play-off final that defeated Brechin City to secure a place in the Scottish Professional Football League for the first time after winning the Lowland League. In announcing his six-mile move from New Central Park, his former club said he had "introducing an attractive playing style" and was "popular with the Kelty faithful". Former Airdrie United midfielder Mc Donald, 39, who previously managed Musselburgh Athletic, initially joined Kelty's coaching staff in 2021. The arrival of the new management team comes as a company run by England-born, United States-based businessman James Bord is in the process of concluding a buy-out of the current majority owners, German football investment group Fussball Gmb H. Dunfermline had been looking for a new team boss since James Mc Pake was axed after successive defeats left his side second bottom. Youth boss John Mc Laughlan has been in caretaker charge for three games - a draw, win and defeat against teams in the top four - but they remain ninth, two points behind Hamilton Academical and having played two more games. Amid reports of interest in Tidser, who had played 11 times this season, Kelty slipped from second to third place in League 1 and are currently a point behind Stenhousemuir and three adrift of Arbroath. Kelty's statement made no mention of a successor but thanked captain Thomas O'Ware and "the backroom team for their exceptional efforts in leading the team over the past couple of weeks" while Tidser was missing from the dugout during negotiations. Haaland signs new Man City deal until 2034 Everton to face no further action over PSR issue 'A moment of Ashes history' - Gardner's grand day out Does protein powder actually work? Greg Foot investigates how much protein we need, and if protein powder can help us hit fitness targets The story of Bob Dylan directed by Martin Scorsese From a rock 'n' roll-loving kid to his arrival as a major force in the world of folk music Sara Pascoe's advice to her younger self Drinking on stage, declaring bankruptcy and Sara's continuing passion for performing stand up How did Jack the Ripper fuel true crime obsessions? Lucy Worsley investigates how these shocking killings created a world of entertainment based on murder BBC to show Brechin v Hearts & Rangers v Fraserburgh Commonwealth Games: Why is it so special to be part of Team Scotland? Who are the Commonwealth Games winners and losers? From titles to tinpottery - rank Scotland's top 10 clubs Subscribe & follow updates on your Premiership team 'My record will go' - will Haaland overtake Shearer? What does Raducanu need to do to beat Swiatek? Allen v Jackson - the NFL play-off 'everybody wanted' The Premier League 'needs' clubs like Brentford - Frank. Video The Premier League 'needs' clubs like Brentford - Frank 'You pay my bills' - Collins reacts to hecklers 'I feel a million dollars' - Lewis-Skelly lights up Arsenal Watch best of action as Rangers beat Aberdeen. Video Watch best of action as Rangers beat Aberdeen A clearer picture of Guardiola, his family life & the media 'The door is ajar for Arsenal - this must be their catalyst' How 'high-energy' Arsenal beat 'passive' Spurs. Video How 'high-energy' Arsenal beat 'passive' Spurs Do Scotland dare to dream of Six Nations success? New Match of the Day presenters announced In pictures: The 22 best sport photos of the week © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.