Stephen Kenny was last night officially confirmed as the new manager of Dunfermline Athletic. Kenny (35) will take over from caretaker manager Craig Robertson after tomorrow's match at Rangers. His first match in charge of the Scotish Premier League's bottom side will be against Dundee United on November 18th.

The Derry City boss told board members late on Thursday that he would take the job and, though disappointed, it is believed they accepted his decision.

What remains uncertain is whether Kenny will be in charge of City for the FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road on December 3rd. Having made it clear to his new employers that he was determined to be available for the game, he has told Derry he wants to oversee the team on the day. As of last night it appeared, however, the board had not given him any definite response.

"I want to finish the job, and being there for that game is a big part of that," Kenny said last night.

Although he will be in Edinburgh this day next week for the game against fellow strugglers Dundee United, he said: "I have an agreement that I can come back to Derry for the following week, though. I'd only miss one or two sessions and Paul Hegarty will be there to take them. It's very important for me to see the thing through, but at this stage I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen."

Kenny, whose departure has been a huge story in Derry where frantic, last-minute efforts were made to persuade him to stay, described the last two years as the "happiest of my career".

"I've really enjoyed it and I'm really sad to be going, but it's a big opportunity and sometimes if you turn them down they don't come around again. This has been a fantastic time for me, but Dunfermline is a new challenge, it's a different level and you have to be the best you can."

Asked about the reaction of his employers when told that he would definitely be leaving, Kenny admitted, "It wasn't easy. They were disappointed, understandably so.

"We've become very close over the last couple of years, worked very well together and brought a lot of young and very talented players to the club.

"I'm loath to leave that, and they don't like to see me go, but this is a new chapter for me and sometimes you simply have to do what you believe is the right thing for yourself even if it's hard."

Even if leaving Ireland had been an easy decision, the challenge at East End Park looks considerable. With little or nothing by way of a transfer budget, Kenny will have his work cut out to keep the club in the top flight.

There are a number of tough fixtures over the next few weeks and if he does return to Ireland for the week of the cup final then it will be the home league tie against Celtic on December 10th before he is properly settled into his new role.

Speaking last night in Scotland, Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston said he and his fellow directors were "delighted" to have recruited Kenny.

"We took our time to go through the process but we feel that we've pulled out a real gem. His track record impressed us initially but we were hugely impressed too when he got to sit down and talk with him."

Yorkston said the club would do everything it could to facilitate his desire to be involved in the cup final. "I think it says a lot for him, the loyalty he has shown to the club that he is leaving," he said.

Meanwhile, the FAI-backed arbitration with regard to the dispute between Shelbourne and the league was held yesterday and is said to have gone satisfactorily. A statement issued yesterday afternoon said the arbiter, Michael Collins SC, "will deliberate over the coming days and deliver his decision as soon as possible".

A decision is expected by Monday.