 Stephen Kenny is expected to replace Jim Leishman as Pars boss |
Dunfermline Athletic are expected to announce on Friday evening that they have concluded a deal to appoint Stephen Kenny as their new manager. But the Derry City boss will not be in place to take charge of the Pars for Saturday's game against Rangers.
BBC Sport understands that Kenny has accepted Dunfermline's job offer.
It is believed that he will remain in charge of the Irish club until next weekend and return from Dunfermline for the FAI Cup final on 3 December.
Kenny will be in charge for Friday's game against St Pat's and their remaining two league matches, take charge of the Pars for two games and then return for the final.
On Thursday, Derry said that Kenny had "committed" to remaining at the club until "at least the end of the current season".
 | We want to finish the season really strongly and make sure that the team is at least in Europe next season |
"The board of Derry City FC held prolonged meetings all day yesterday and we have made it abundantly clear to Stephen that we do not want him to leave," concluded the Derry statement.
Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston told the Daily Record: "We're waiting for a fax from Derry to confirm Stephen will become our new manager."
Speaking to the BBC on Thursday, Kenny said: "At the moment, nothing has been concluded and, at the moment, we are just preparing for tomorrow night's game against St Pat's.
"These things can happen in your life and you have to take consideration into these things.
"Derry City has been a brilliant football club for many years and I've really enjoyed being here.
"We're in an FAI Cup final and we have three (league) games left and we want to finish the season really strongly and make sure that the team is at least in Europe next season."
The Candystripes, who knocked Gretna out of this season's Uefa Cup, are currently second in the Eircom League Premier Division.
City are six points behind leaders Shelbourne with just three matches remaining.
BBC Sport believes compensation is not an issue since he has a contract clause that allows him to leave for nothing if he moves away from Ireland.
St Johnstone's former Dunfermline striker, Owen Coyle, and Livingston's John Robertson have fallen out of contention for the job at East End Park.
Compensation to their present clubs could have been the deterrent as the Pars search for a successor to Jim Leishman.
It is believed that former Scotland internationals Ally McCoist and Gary McAllister both rejected the Scottish Premier League club's overtures.
Dunfermline slumped to a 3-0 defeat at home to Falkirk on Saturday under caretaker manager Craig Robertson.
And they slipped to the bottom of the table after Dundee United's victory over Rangers on Monday.
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