Boss Robertson exits Ross County

John Robertson's side had led Division One

John Robertson has left Ross County after only four months in charge of the First Division club.

The former Hearts boss cleared his desk at Victoria Park at lunchtime on Monday and is leaving by mutual consent.

BBC Sport understands that Robertson was ordered to cut his budget by £100,000 and feels that he cannot continue at the Dingwall club.

County survived a recent cash crisis, but chair Peter Swanson said: "We have to restructure to survive long-term."

Swanson, who will address supporters on Monday evening, is optimistic that County could stay full-time.

My resignation at Ross County is nothing to do with any interest from any other clubs John Robertson

"I would like to maintain our ambitions but within a viable structure," he said.

"There was a cash crisis a few weeks ago and the directors were putting money in to keep the club going.

"Our costs are too high and our income is down and that cannot go on."

Donald Park will take charge for Saturday's home game against St Johnstone and Swanson has told the assistant manager to take a few days to think over his own position with the club.

"In this game, I rule nothing out and nothing in," said Swanson.

The manager's departure followed a Monday morning meeting with Swanson during which the club says "it became clear there were differences of opinion on a number of fundamental issues".

Robertson, sacked by Hearts at the end of the season, had briefly led County to the top of the league this term.

But there were reports last week that his players had been told that they would be allowed to find new clubs in January.

County dropped to fourth after Saturday's 1-0 defeat away to Clyde.

They are the third club from which Robertson has departed in 12 months.

He left Inverness Caledonian Thistle in November for that ill-fated short spell with Hearts.

The news of his departure from County came two days after it was announced that George Burley had departed Hearts.

But Robertson stressed that the two events were not related.

"I would never say never and I was as surprised as anyone that George Burley left Hearts," he said.

"But my resignation at Ross County is nothing to do with any interest from any other clubs."

He is, though, being tipped as the next manager of Dunfermline Athletic should Jim Leishman decide to stand down at the Scottish Premier League strugglers.