DUNDEE have confirmed Mark McGhee will not have his contract renewed after the club dropped into the Championship.

The club were officially relegated from the top-flight in midweek after St Johnstone triumphed over Aberdeen.

McGhee had previously suggested he wanted to remain at the club in a bid to try and achieve automatic promotion at the first opportunity.

But the club have now revealed McGhee and assistant Simon Rusk will be leaving the club.

McGhee commented that he believes the Championship is better suited to a younger coach as he prepares to depart the Kilmac Stadium.

Assistant Rusk will leave the club to take up a role with the English FA.

A Dundee statement read: "Dundee Football Club can confirm that we have agreed not to renew the contract of Mark McGhee at the conclusion of the cinch Premiership campaign.

"He arrived at the Kilmac Stadium in difficult circumstances and we would like to thank Mark for his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.

"We would also like to confirm that Simon Rusk will move on from the club to take up a role with the English FA. We would thank Simon for his efforts and wish him all the best in his upcoming appointment.

"The process of finding a new manager has begun and we will update in due course."

McGhee added: “When we took the job we had a real belief that we could stay in the division and we are disappointed that we did not achieve that target.

“My role at the club was that of a manager with Simon working as the coach alongside me. The Championship is a division that I feel is suited to a younger coach, one with energy, that is what the players deserve. I’m not sure my role is relevant in that environment.

“I would also like to thank John for the opportunity, the players and staff for their commitment, and the fans for their support during my time in charge. I wish the club every success in the future.”