James McPake

James McPake (born 24 June 1984) is a professional football coach and former player, who was most recently the manager of Dunfermline Athletic. McPake played for Livingston, Greenock Morton, Coventry City, Hibernian and Dundee. He mainly played as a defender, although he started his career as a forward. McPake played once for Northern Ireland, in 2012.

McPake retired from playing football in January 2018, and then started his coaching career in the Dundee youth system. He was appointed as the senior team manager in May 2019, and held this position until February 2022. He was appointed Dunfermline Athletic manager in May 2022 and was dismissed in December 2024, having won the Scottish League One title in 2023.

During his youth career, Bellshill-born McPake played for Holytown Colts, Celtic South BC, Coatbridge Amateurs and Livingston pro youth. He began his professional career when he signed for then Scottish First Division team Livingston in August 2000 as a youth academy player. He did not make his debut for the club until almost four years later in April 2004, when Livingston were playing in the SPL. He agreed a new two-year contract with Livingston in 2005.

In January 2006, Scottish Second Division side Greenock Morton signed McPake on loan, after he had rejected proposed loan moves to Gretna and Partick Thistle. He made his debut for Morton against Gretna on 14 January and went on to make ten appearances for the club, scoring two goals in the process. His two goals were both scored in the same game, against Alloa Athletic.

In October 2006, the Scottish media reported that McPake would be moving to English Football League Championship club Plymouth Argyle. It was confirmed that he was due to go to Plymouth for a week-long trial, but Livingston later changed their minds and the trial never materialised. In July 2007, two months after the appointment of manager Mark Proctor, McPake was appointed club captain. Scottish Premier League outfit St Mirren had a bid for him rejected by Livingston.

McPake signed a pre-contract in December 2008 to join Coventry City on a three-and-a-half-year deal in the summer of 2009, but Coventry and Livingston agreed a fee on 2 February 2009 to complete the transfer immediately. He scored his first goal for the club against Leicester City on 21 March 2010. He suffered a back injury that required surgery in May 2011. He signed a one-year contract extension with Coventry City in August 2011 extending his contract to July 2013.

McPake signed for Hibernian on an initial six-month loan deal from Coventry City on 23 January 2012. He made his debut for the club the following Saturday, and was sent off in a 4–0 defeat to Rangers. He was made team captain on his first appearance. He led the team to safety from relegation, and former Hibs defender Craig Paterson expressed his hope that McPake would sign a longer deal with Hibs. McPake scored Hibs' only goal in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, a 5–1 defeat to Hearts.

McPake was selected in May 2012 by Northern Ireland, qualifying to play for them through a grandparent born in Coleraine. He made his international debut in a 6–0 defeat by Netherlands on 2 June 2012.