Airdrieonians have appointed Rhys McCabe as their new player/manager.
In a surprise move from the Diamonds, the club have promoted the midfielder to replace Ian Murray after he left his post to take up the manager's job at Raith Rovers on Tuesday.
It's the the 29-year-old's first coaching role and he will be supported by his cousin and club captain Callum Fordyce, who will be assistant manager following Scott Agnew's exit today to join up with Murray in Kirkcaldy.
McCabe brings a wealth of top-level experience, having started his career at Rangers and played down south with Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth.
He has a tough act to follow after Murray led the club on a 20-game unbeaten run last term, although they came up just short in the Championship play-offs when they lost the final to Queen's Park.
But the Diamonds board believe he has the football intelligence and leadership qualities to be a success at New Broomfield.
A statement from the club read: "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Rhys McCabe as Airdrieonians player-manager.
"Rhys takes up the position following the departure of Ian Murray, and it will be a family affair in the Diamonds management team as club captain Callum Fordyce, Rhys’s cousin, takes on the role of player-assistant manager.
"29-year-old McCabe brought a wealth of high-level experience to Airdrie when he joined from Queen of the South last summer, having previously played for such clubs as Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth.
"Rhys’s influence on the park quickly became apparent, and his performances both in midfield and defence earned widespread plaudits as he made 41 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals. His free-kick against Motherwell secured him the club’s Goal of the Season trophy at last month’s awards presentation.
"The club hierarchy noticed very early on last season that Rhys has the football intelligence and leadership qualities that modern footballers respect and expect from a manager. Callum has also demonstrated this over the past three seasons.
"We will ensure that a fully comprehensive support structure is put in place to support Rhys and Callum in their managerial journey at Airdrieonians."
On his appointment a delighted McCabe said: "It’s good to get signed up and get things over the line as quick as we have, so I’m excited, raring to go and looking forward to getting onto the pitch.”
“I’ve always made it clear that towards the latter stages of my career it was an avenue I’d like to go down. Obviously the opportunity has come up to dive straight in, so it’s one that I’m excited about!”
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