McPake was axed after successive defeats left Dunfermline ninth in the second tier, with youth boss John McLaughlan in caretaker charge for Friday’s 3-3 draw at home to leaders Falkirk.
Amid reports of interest in Tidser, Kelty slipped to third place in League 1 after a 2-0 defeat away to bottom side Dumbarton.
Having joined Kelty from Falkirk four years ago, Glasgow-born Tidser has been player-manager since April 2023, leading his side to sixth place in Scottish League 1 last season. They currently sit one point behind Stenhousemuir and five off Arbroath.
Now Dunfermline, who visit Partick Thistle on Saturday, want him to move the six miles to East End Park from New Central Park, the ground where their reserve team play their home games.
Tidser has played 11 times for the part-timers this season, his last being in a 0-0 draw with Cove Rangers on 14 December.
Having started his career as a Celtic youth, he went on to play with Ostersunds in Sweden before his first of two spells with Morton and also turned out for Rotherham United, Ross County and Oldham Athletic.
Dunfermline had dismissed McPake only two days after neighbours Raith Rovers started their search for a replacement manager following Neill Collins’ move to Sacramento Republic and their Championship rivals have since appointed former Aberdeen boss Barry Robson.
German football investment group Fussball GmbH put Dunfermline up for sale in August and are negotiating with United States investors.
