New Raith Rovers boss Ian Murray is set to raid old club Airdrieonians as he moves to make player/assistant boss Scott Agnew his No.2 at Stark's Park.
The 41-year-old left the Diamonds on Tuesday to become the new gaffer at the Championship club, ending a four-year spell at New Broomfield.
As Airdrie's search for a new boss steps up, the club are bracing themselves for Murray cherry picking their key performers from last season, including PFA League One player of the year and club player of the year Dylan Easton.
Winger Adam Frizzell, who was the club's players' player of the year, and midfielder Rhys McCabe were also standouts for Murray in their promotion push, which was halted in the play-off final by Queen's Park.
Agnew is set to be the first out the door with the midfielder currently in discussions about following Murray to Fife.
The Rovers gaffer told Raith TV: "I'm very hopeful of bringing Scott Agnew in. We have worked very well together.
"Scott has got a few other things to sort out with his business commitments, but we've struck it off really well.
"I've known Scott for a long time. I had him at Dumbarton, I signed him at St Mirren then we parted ways.
"We came back together last season and he was a player/assistant. At the time I wasn't sure about it because I thought it would be a hard dynamic, but he was actually great.
"He knows what he is doing. He is a very calm guy, a good communicator, very honest with the players and he gives you a real sense of trust."
Murray had been linked to the Raith job for weeks, but insisted he had been fully focused on the Diamonds and had been planning signings for the Monklands men up until last Thursday.
He added: "It wasn't until the middle of last week when Raith Rovers contacted Airdrie [that he was aware of the interest].
"Up until then my mind was fully focused on Airdrie and getting them into the Championship.
"I was planning fully on trying to bring players into Airdrie. Even as far along as last Thursday we had player meetings about next season.
"Over the weekend, things moved on a bit.
"It was something that happened very quickly.
"But I have to give my full gratitude towards Airdrieonians FC and their board of directors who made this transition for myself and Raith very smooth.
"It's exciting times. It always is when you go to a new club, but there is trepidation as well because you want to do so well."
The Diamonds have yet to announce their released players list but defender Josh Kerr and goalkeeper Max Currie have taken to social media to reveal they will be departing.
Kerr posted: "Thanks Airdrie for the past few years, been a pleasure. Time for something new."
And Currie said: "Time for something new. #pleasure."
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