James McPake

Livingston

During his youth career, Bellshill-born McPake played for Holytown Colts, Celtic South BC, Coatbridge Amateurs and Livingston pro youth. He began his professional career when he signed for then Scottish First Division team Livingston in August 2000 as a youth academy player. He did not make his debut for the club until almost four years later in April 2004, when Livingston were playing in the SPL. He agreed a new two-year contract with Livingston in 2005. In January 2006, Scottish Second Division side Greenock Morton signed McPake on loan, after he had rejected proposed loan moves to Gretna and Partick Thistle. He made his debut for Morton against Gretna on 14 January and went on to make ten appearances for the club, scoring two goals in the process. His two goals were both scored in the same game, against Alloa Athletic. In October 2006, the Scottish media reported that McPake would be moving to English Football League Championship club Plymouth Argyle. It was confirmed that he was due to go to Plymouth for a week-long trial, but Livingston later changed their minds and the trial never materialised. In July 2007, two months after the appointment of manager Mark Proctor, McPake was appointed club captain. Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren had a bid for him rejected by Livingston.

Coventry City

McPake signed a pre-contract in December 2008 to join Coventry City on a three-and-a-half-year deal in the summer of 2009, but Coventry and…

Dundee

McPake announced his retirement from playing in January 2018, and took up a coaching position in the Dundee academy system. After Dundee sacked manager Jim McIntyre in May 2019, McPake was appointed caretaker manager for the final game of the season against St Mirren. A few weeks later, he was appointed Dundee manager on a permanent basis. At the end of the 2020–21 season, McPake led his team into winning the Premiership play-offs and gaining promotion to the Scottish Premiership. At the end of the season, he was awarded the SPFL Scottish Championship Manager of the Year. McPake was sacked by Dundee on 16 February 2022, with Dundee sitting in 11th place in the Premiership.

Dunfermline Athletic

Scottish League One club Dunfermline Athletic appointed McPake as their manager on 24 May 2022. An immensely successful first season with the Pars culminated with McPake leading the side to the Scottish League One title and promotion to the Scottish Championship On Dunfermline's return to the Championship McPake guided the club to a 6th place finish and the following season was dismissed on 23 December 2024 after the poor run of form carried over from the previous season.

Managerial record

As of match played 21 December 2024

Initially caretaker at Dundee and appointed permanently on 31 May 2019.

Manager

Dundee

Scottish Premiership play-offs: 2020–21

Dunfermline Athletic

Scottish League One: 2022–23

Individual

Scottish Championship Manager of the Year: 2020–21 Scottish Championship manager of the month: October 2019, March 2021 Scottish League 1 manager of the month: September/October 2022, November 2022