McNamara Pars link fine with Dons

Calderwood said he would not prevent McNamara from moving on

Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood says he will not stand in Jackie McNamara's way if he wants to leave to become Dunfermline boss.

The Dons defender has emerged as one of the favourites to succeed Stephen Kenny at East End Park.

Calderwood said the former Celtic captain, who started his career with the Pars, would be missed if he left.

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston said three or four names mentioned as potential successors were "exciting".

Interview: Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood

Kenny was sacked by the Pars on 4 December following a poor run of results since being relegated from the Premier League.

Jackie's a wonderful professional, a great lad and I'm sure he would make a very good manager Aberdeen manager Jimmy Calderwood

The Pars are currently second bottom of the First Division with 13 points from 14 games.

Calderwood said he believed McNamara, who is sidelined through injury, would become a manager at some stage.

"I think Jackie's future will eventually lie in management," Calderwood told BBC Sport.

"He's a wonderful professional, a great lad and I'm sure he would make a very good manager.

"It's not up to me to tell Dunfermline who to take but if they did come for Jackie and looking at yourself in the mirror, I don't think you could stand in someone like that's way."

Yorkston told the Daily Record: "I have had 10 or so names put to me already, but I have not spoken to director of football Jim Leishman regarding any candidates.

"Of those 10 names that have been put to me, the quality and calibre of three or four really excite me.

"I've not been to the club and I'm sure I will have received emails from potential applicants."