Alexander signed a five-year rolling contract in May 2006

Alexander, who was placed on leave due to illness in March, was formally sacked on Tuesday.

The club will listen to an appeal against the decision from Alexander but a change of heart is improbable.

Alexander is also launching an action for non-payment of wages and said he was "very disappointed" by the outcome.

The former Morton striker signed a five-year rolling contract in May 2006.

But this week the club released a statement, saying: "Gretna FC can confirm that Rowan Alexander has been dismissed after an extensive investigation and internal procedure."

Alexander's lawyer, Leo Martin, said the whole affair had been handled in a "very amateurish way".

I would certainly welcome a recall back to the job Rowan Alexander

He also said that, as far as he knew, Alexander had been sacked for gross misconduct, a charge he denies.

Alexander had sought a return to his duties but his former assistant Davie Irons was placed in full charge of team affairs during the summer.

The 46-year-old, announcing himself as the team's manager, attempted to gain entry to the club's temporary Fir Park home on the opening day of the season.

However, he was turned away from the 4 August match.

Alexander took over at Gretna in 2000 and was at the helm when the club secured their place among the ranks of senior Scottish clubs in 2002.

He won the Division Three and Two titles, as well as steering the club to the Scottish Cup final in 2006.

"It's a club I've devoted a lot of my life to, I've made sacrifices to be there," said Alexander.

"After the success that we've experienced up until now, why leave something like that?

"I was the manager and I felt that the group of staff that we had together was good and we had a good working relationship throughout those years.

"I have nothing against anybody at that club and I would certainly welcome a recall back to the job."

Gretna were sitting top of Division One when Alexander stepped aside, later citing exhaustion, and held on to win promotion to the top flight on the final day of last season.