Dundee United have confirmed manager Mixu Paatelainen is leaving the club.
Chairman Stephen Thompson has pledged big changes in the wake of the club’s relegation to the Championship, and his first step has been to relieve the Finn of his duties.
A statement this morning says: “Dundee United Football Club and Mixu Paatelainen have agreed the departure of Paatelainen as first team head coach with immediate effect.
“The club thanks Mixu for his service and will now begin the search for a new head coach.”
Paatelainen left United’s training ground in St Andrews this morning without speaking to the media.
However, in the official statement he is quoted as saying: “I would like to thank the players, staff and supporters.
“It has been a difficult winter and the challenge was huge but nevertheless I have enjoyed every day working for the club and with this group of players”.
In the immediate aftermath of Monday’s Dundee derby, which confirmed United’s fate, Paatelainen had said only a “fool” would dispense with his services after he had built up the knowledge needed to get the club back on the up.
It has been a difficult winter and the challenge was huge but nevertheless I have enjoyed every day working for the club and with this group of players.
However, that has counted for little and United will now start the search for a new manager, with Raith Rovers’ Ray McKinnon — a former United player — many people’s favourite to take over.
However, Raith still harbour hopes of reaching the Premiership this season via the play-offs and say they will turn down any approach for McKinnon.
Mixu was appointed to the post in October.
(more soon)
