FORMER Pars manager Stevie Crawford has agreed a return to boss East Fife.

This afternoon, the League One club have announced that the 47-year-old, who resigned from his post at East End in May, has been appointed as Darren Young's successor.

A former team-mate of Crawford's with Dunfermline, Young parted company with the New Bayview outfit on November 21 after four-and-a-half years, with a defeat to Clyde leaving them five points adrift at the bottom of the table.

Crawford returns to Methil for a second stint as boss, having been appointed player/manager in April 2009, before stepping down in October the following year and remaining there as a player until January 2011.

Upon taking the job, Crawford, who had been assisting Gary Naysmith at League Two Edinburgh City, told East Fife's website: "I am delighted to be given the opportunity to manage East Fife Football Club again.

3It has all happened very quickly and it was the first job that I found myself attracted to since leaving Dunfermline Athletic in May.

"I would like to thank Edinburgh City for giving me the opportunity to speak to East Fife and I wish Gary Naysmith, Jim Brown and everyone at Edinburgh City all the best for the rest of the season."

After initially rejoining Dunfermline as a coach under Allan Johnston in 2018, Crawford was appointed Pars boss in January 2019.

He steered the club away from relegation trouble, finishing in seventh place, before an overhaul of the squad took place for the 2019/20 campaign.

Although there were high points, such as taking Celtic to extra-time in the last 16 of the League Cup at Celtic Park, inconsistency saw the Pars finish in sixth place when the season was curtailed due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Last term, Crawford's Dunfermline started the season in fine style, winning nine of 10 unbeaten Championship and Premier Sports Cup matches.

A 2-1 win at home to eventual champions Hearts saw them top the table, whilst only a penalty shoot-out saw them bow out of the League Cup to winners St Johnstone in the last eight.

From December, however, their form dipped, winning only six of their final 22 league games, but did seal fourth place and a Premiership play-off quarter-final.

After a 0-0 draw in the first leg at East End, two second half goals condemned them to defeat at Raith Rovers, and offered his resignation 10 days later on May 18.

In an interview with Press Sport, Crawford said that it wasn't an easy decision, but explained: “It feels like burnout, honestly. I’m not ashamed to say that is the case because I believe that shows the dedication I had to the job. I did wonder whether it was worth trying to grind it out; trying to get over this feeling.

“However, that is not fair to the club.

“Like everything, football goes on and if I’m not able to step up to the mark and raise levels and push boundaries, then how can I ask that from others? That’s not right.

“It’s not a decision I came to lightly, but I feel it’s the right one.”

Crawford's first match in charge will be against Alloa Athletic, who are managed by former Kelty Hearts boss, Barry Ferguson, on Saturday.