Elgin City have terminated manager Allan Hale's contract with immediate effect following a disciplinary investigation that found gross misconduct. The Scottish League 2 club confirmed the dismissal on Friday, concluding a process that began with Hale's suspension earlier this month. Assistant Stefan Laird has been acting as interim manager since May 11.

The investigation was conducted in line with the club's policies and procedures, though Elgin declined to provide specific details about the misconduct. Hale's departure marks a significant disruption for a team that finished sixth in Scotland's fourth tier this season. The club stated they will now focus entirely on appointing a permanent replacement and advancing their player recruitment plans.

Hale, 38, took charge in December 2023 after managing Highland League sides Huntly and Keith. His brief tenure ended amid disappointing results that saw Elgin miss promotion playoffs in a competitive fourth division. The former Fraserburgh player brought lower-league experience but couldn't translate it into success at Borough Briggs.

Elgin's board must now accelerate their search for a new manager while maintaining squad stability during pre-season preparations. The club's statement suggests they view this as an opportunity to reset rather than a crisis.