Run of poor results prompts Steven to quit as City boss

EDINBURGH CITY manager Shaun Steven has resigned from his position after the Meadowbank-based club were beaten 5-1 at home by Tynecastle in the Central Taxis Premier Division on Saturday.

Only eight days ago City were on the verge of meeting Hibs in the fifth round of the Active Nation Scottish Cup but lost 3-1 to Montrose to deny them a glamour tie.

"We have lost four games on the bounce and it's just not happening," said Steven. "I think I've probably been with City too long and the players need a change of face in the dressing room.

"I have been thinking about this decision for a while and Saturday's result was the final nail in the coffin. If we had won I would have stayed around for a while. I've enjoyed my four years as manager of City and my time before that as assistant to my brother Tom. We have been to a few cup finals but we have just not quite made it although winning the Premier Division in 2006 was a special moment. We lost experienced players including Robbie Manson to Arbroath and Scott Hunter to Tayport and although we have been in for a few players we have been unable to get them.

"The teams in our league with the most money are Spartans, Whitehill Welfare, Lothian Thistle and Tynecastle and they are all challenging for the title. If you pay the most money you get the best players.

"I have parted company on good terms and I wish City all the best in the future."

Steven hopes to return to management very soon while, in the meantime, Gary Jardine and John Green will take interim charge of City until the committee decide on the way forward.

Grant Coffin, the Edinburgh City secretary, said: "We would like to publicly thank Shaun for his dedication to Edinburgh City over the past seven years. We were disappointed that he came to this decision which was entirely his own and his resignation was reluctantly accepted by the club."