The Pars board have released a statement this morning (Thursday) that confirms his short tenure in charge will be brought to an end following the club's failure to secure a League One promotion play-off place.

Assistant boss Neil McCann will also leave as part of the managerial shake-up and the news comes after the board conducted a planned end of season assessment.

The Athletic statement read, "In December, the Board agreed with Jim Jefferies that he would step down from the Manager’s role, as we had not achieved our agreed objectives at that time and he felt he had taken the team as far as he could, but we were contractually obliged to continue to pay Jim until the end of the season.

"John Potter was being groomed as Jim’s natural successor, and agreed to take on responsibility for first team affairs, with no increase in remuneration, until the end of the season, at which point the board would review the position again. Despite putting his heart and soul into the role, it has unfortunately not worked out for John in the way we had all hoped. The Board has been forced to the conclusion that changes need to be made. As has been said many times, football is a results based business - that is the harsh reality.

"John will therefore return to his contracted role as head coach next season. The board would like publicly to thank John for his hard work and selfless approach to everything that he has done. John is a valued member of our staff and contributes so much to our club in so many different ways. We must also put on record our condemnation of the personal abuse to which John and his family have been subject in recent months, from a small, but vocal, minority of fans. That has been unacceptable behaviour and it reflects very badly on our club.

"In addition, and in view of the change of Manager, Neil McCann decided it would be best for both parties if he moved on. We would also like to put on record our thanks to Neil for his considerable efforts and support of the club over the last three years, especially given that, for some of that period, he received no payment for his services. We wish Neil every success in the future.

"John and Neil were both highly professional in their approach. They are bright, articulate, hard-working coaches, who were amenable to everything the Board requested.

"As a “football club” we have, off the park, come a long way in a short time. On the park, however, the lack of progress has been deeply disappointing, and now needs overhauled.

"As a Board we accept that not every Pars fan either buys into, or even cares about, the benefits of our being a community owned club; what they do care about is progress and success on the park. There is an expectation level at our club that needs to be met, at times this season the team have clearly not risen to the challenge.

"The process of looking for a new Manager starts now and we will immediately advertise for applications in the hope of making an appointment within three to four weeks, thereby providing the new Manager as much time as possible to prepare for next season. We believe that it is very important that the new Manager should have experience of having successfully operated in the SPFL lower leagues.

"The recruitment of the right manager and in turn the right types of player is now critical."

Managerial applications are requested in writing, along with CV, to directors@dafc.co.uk. The closing date for applications is 10 May 2015.