Dundee sack a manager while they are top of the league.
We have been here before, of course.
The name of John Brown can now be added to those of Jocky Scott and John McCormack, who have both suffered that fate in years gone by, albeit the Dark Blues share first place with Falkirk at the moment.
Without wanting to go back over the rights and wrongs of the Scott and McCormack dismissals, is the decision to dispense with Bomber while Dundee are still in with an excellent chance of promotion (they remain bookies’ favourites) the right one?
Up until a month ago, I’d have said no.
Now, it has to be yes.
Dundee had overcome a slow start to pull back the nine-point gap Hamilton Accies had opened up, and had begun to look like a side built to win promotion. Not cutting teams open with an attacking football, but tailor made for the long slog to the Championship title.
That no longer looks the case.
The back-to-back defeats to Livingston and Falkirk showed that Brown’s Dundee couldn’t be relied upon to grind down less experienced opponents. They were being outplayed by them.
In the Falkirk match there were tactical decisions that raised eyebrows, and after the Dees were denied all three points against Alloa on Saturday, Brown cut a despondent figure who had run out of ideas.
It’s not ideal that a manager will be appointed after a transfer window has shut, but the squad at the new man’s disposal remains the strongest in the league.
Brown could have taken them there if he was left in post, as this is the weakest second tier of Scottish football that I can remember. But with Rangers and Hearts about to converge on the Championship from different directions, you can forgive the Dundee board for a reluctance to give him the benefit of the doubt.
The fact that home crowds are starting to dwindle and those who are still attending are turning on their manager, adds weight to the decision to part company.
Brown was a leftfield appointment a year ago. Though he teased fans with the possibility of a miraculous SPL escape act, you can’t say that it has worked out.
Leftfield should not be a place the Dundee directors looks for Brown’s successor.
My advice would be, forget about the applications, the long-lists, short-lists, first interviews and second interviews.
There’s an out-of-work and well-qualified manager in waiting. His name is Paul Hartley and give him the job before the week is out.