Chief executive Dave MacKinnon and sacked manager Alex Rae

Alex Rae was sacked as Dundee manager because poor results were putting promotion at risk, the club has said.

Dundee chief executive Dave MacKinnon told BBC Sport that the four-man board decided to act following a run of nine games without a win.

"We felt there were signs against Ross County on Saturday that something had to be changed," he said.

MacKinnon said prospective candidates would have until Friday to register their interest in the vacant post.

Rae, 39, was dismissed on Monday, following the club's poor start to the season, which has seen them slip to third bottom of Division One.

The Dens Park outfit remain just six points off the top, but McKinnon told BBC Sport it was time for a fresh approach as "the spark" was missing from the squad.

"It's never an easy time when a manager leaves. The board of directors met yesterday and we've had a string of nine games without a win," the chief executive said.

"We've dropped to eighth in the table and we've got aspirations to get back into the SPL. It's never easy and it's a very difficult time.

"But once you make the decision you have to be positive, move on and get back to where you want to get to."

We've got half a team out, but we still believe we have the players on the existing staff to gain promotion Dundee chief executive Dave MacKinnon

Despite their indifferent form, MacKinnon conceded that injuries had played part in their current plight.

"We have been hampered by injuries. We've got half a team out, but we still believe we have the players on the existing staff to gain promotion."

MacKinnon said the club was now turning its attention to finding Rae's successor and would advertise the post on Wednesday, with the closing date for applications two days later.

"What we won't do is install someone just for the sake of having someone in place. Assistant manager Davie Farrell, who has done a really good job here, will take charge on Saturday.

MY SPORT: DEBATE Who do Dundee fans want to succeed Alex Rae?

"And I'll support him on that. We'll also have Paul Ritchie and Gordon Wallace. We've got some ideas about who we'd like to get in."

Queen of the South manager Gordon Chisholm, along with coach Billy Dodds, are among those already being mentioned as possible successors to Rae.

Airdrie United's Kenny Black and former Raith Rovers manager Jimmy Nicholl, presently assistant with Aberdeen, are also possible targets.

MacKinnon would not be drawn on speculation linking Billy Dodds with the vacant post.

"We'll keep things private and bring in the right person for the job."

Rae became player-manager with Dundee in May 2006 and this season gave up playing to concentrate on his management role.

MacKinnon said he had "a lot of respect" for Rae, and wished him every success in the future.

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