Stevie Farrell has insisted he is the man to lead Dumbarton back to League One.
A 4-1 play-off semi-final first leg humbling against Edinburgh City on Tuesday evening all but relegated the Sons, with Farrell’s side unable to pull off a miraculous comeback at the Rock - sinking them into the fourth tier for the first time since 2009.
But Farrell, previously relegated with Stranraer in 2020, insists that he is determined to lead the Sons to promotion next season – with the Lennox understanding that he is likely to remain in position for the new campaign.
Faz said: “My situation is a matter for me and the club. I’ve had my own conversations with them already.
“There have been good moments and disappointing points this season. But this is the lowest.
“Ultimately though, my future is a decision for the club. There’s a determination in me to make sure, if I’m here next year, we bring this club back. But we’ll need big changes.
“I absolutely want to be here to lead the team back, though.
“People can make their own narrative on things. But I’ve only been in League Two once as a manager and I finished joint second in the league.
“Do I think I can be the right man to lead Dumbarton to the top end of the league next season? Absolutely I do. I’ve proved that with Stranraer.
“I absolutely want to be here and I’m under contract.”
Farrell admitted that his side deserved to go down, and said that he understands calls for his head from the Sons’ faithful.
He continued: “The first leg was the one that did us. I think everyone knew that.
“We were hoping, praying and in some ways believing.
“We scored to give everyone a lift and then we gave away a cheap goal.
“It was too easy and it knocked the stuffing out of us. It was a long, long way back from there. If we held on to the lead for another five minutes or so then you never know what could’ve happened.
“But over the two legs we deserved nothing, Edinburgh deserved to win, and ultimately we deserved to be relegated.
“You cannot run away from that fact. And ultimately that’s my responsibility. It hurts me.
“Regardless of what people say about me, I’m a proud man and I’m also an honest man.
“The fans pay their money and they have every right to shout at the manager when they’ve been relegated.”
Sons’ chairman Dr Neil Mackay said: “Ultimately, the points on the board and club’s final league position reflect our performance over the season and we have simply not been good enough to stay up. Clearly there is collective responsibility, which we accept.
“Winning promotion back to cinch League One is now our priority, but it will not be easy as the impact of relegation brings its own challenges.
“We can relate to the frustration of our fans.”
And he admitted: “The significance of this occurring in our 150th anniversary year is not lost on us.”
