FORMER St Mirren manager Danny Lennon is one of the favourites to take over from Derek Adams as the new Ross County manager.

Lennon's contract at the Paisley club was not renewed at the end of last season.

County chairman Roy MacGregor last night revealed the club needed a change of approach as he explained the decision to axe Derek Adams and his father, George.

Adams and George, who was director of football in Dingwall since 2005, left after County lost their opening four Scottish Premiership games of the season with a much-changed team.

But MacGregor stated those results had nothing to do with the decision, instead pointing to the need for long-term planning and a new style of leadership.

Adams was in his second spell as manager and also had two playing spells at County, leading them to two promotions as well as the 2010 Scottish Cup final and fifth and seventh-place finishes in the top flight.

The timing raised eyebrows given the pair had brought in 10 new players over the summer, but MacGregor and his fellow directors felt the time was right to change the structure with the director of football position set to be dispensed with.

MacGregor said: "On a personal basis, it's probably been the most difficult decision I've made in football. Not only were Derek and George personal friends, they gave the club so much history.

"In many ways the club wouldn't be where it was today if it wasn't for the contribution of those two gentlemen.

"So to think a change needed to be made was a fairly serious situation, but we feel in the interests both on and off the park, this was the right time to make a change."