Members News: James McPake Departs As Dundee Manager

James McPake in the Sky Blue

Our member, former noughties Sky Blue central defender James McPake recruited to CCFPA only last October has relinquished his position as manager of Dundee FC. James had been in charge of the Scottish Premier League side for two and a half years and clearly has been sacked by the club with regret. They recently issued the following statement:

“Dundee Football Club has taken the decision to release James McPake from the duties of his position of Manager. James joined Dundee FC as a player in May 2014 and since that time has faithfully served the club as Captain, Under 18s Manager, First Team Caretaker Manager, and First Team Manager. During the 2020-21 season, James led the team to promotion to the Scottish Premiership after just two seasons in the Championship. It is clear that without James’ leadership the club would still be in the Championship, and for that reason, the decision to release him was not arrived at easily. However, at this time the club must look to a manager with additional experience with the aim of preserving James’ legacy and our place in the Premiership. It is without a doubt that someone who has achieved so much in such a short amount of time will go on to continue achieving remarkable things, and for this James has our unequivocal support and endorsement. We are proud to have given James his first steps in management and beyond proud of his accomplishments. He is, and will always remain, a valued and loved member of the Dundee FC family.”

Born in Bellshill (on 24th June 1984) James previously played for both Livingston and Greenock Morton before joining the Sky Blues in 2008 and subsequently turned out for both Hibernian and Dundee. Though Scottish, a northern Irish grandparent allowed him selection to win a single cap for Northern Ireland, in 2012 (a 6–0 defeat by the Netherlands on 2 June 2012) whilst with Hibs. 

The defender actually began his career as a forward and as a youngster played for Holytown Colts, Celtic South BC, Coatbridge Amateurs and then Livingston youth going on to sign professional for the Academy of the then Scottish First Division team in August 2000 eventually debuting nearly four years later in April 2004 for Livingston‘s SPL side.

James McPake in Sky Blue action

James went out on loan to Scottish Second Division side Greenock Morton in January 2006, going on to make ten appearances and scoring twice. James eventually became captain of the Livingston side and attracted attention from a number of English clubs including the Sky Blues.

By the time CCFC got their man signing him initially on pre-contract terms in December 2008 (completed with agreed fee on 2nd February 2009) James had netted six times in 119 appearances for Livingston. He went on to spend four seasons with the Sky Blues (2008-12) making his debut for Chris Coleman‘s side in a 2-1 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on 7th February 2009 and scoring his first goal for the club against Leicester City on 21 March 2010. James was awarded the Association’s ‘Player of the Year‘  title in 2010 (see photo below). In May 2011 James needed surgery for a bad back injury but in that August signed a one-year contract extension that would tie him to CCFC until July 2013.

Quentin Cosma (G-Casino); James; Billy Bell & Bob Eales (CCFPA)

However James moved before his City contract was up returning to his homeland to sign for Hibernian on an initial six-month loan from 23 January 2012 turned into a two year full contract on 30th June 2012. During his Sky Blues days James had pulled on the first team shirt 43 times and netted just that once!

James McPake (coaching at Dundee)

As Hibs. team captain he led the team to safety from relegation and helped them to the Scottish Cup final (which he sadly missed through injury)! His injury problems limited the central defender’s first team chances during the 2013–14 season and following their relegation  was released in May 2014 after 53 games and three goals. James then immediately signed for newly promoted Scottish Premiership club Dundee where he became a valued regular for his first two seasons but in the second two periods of injury kept him away from first team football.

James (Dundee manager)

By the time he retired from playing football in January 2018 he had scored four times in 55 appearances for Hibs and achieved a career total of 16 goals in 280 outings. James immediately began his coaching career in the Dundee youth academy system. After the club sacked manager Jim McIntyre in May 2019 James stepped in as caretaker manager before being appointed as the senior team manager in May 2019. The 2020-21 season saw him lead Dundee to winning the Premiership play-offs and gaining promotion to the Scottish Premiership his achievement being recognised with the award of the SPFL Scottish Championship Manager of the Year title!