The managerial slump of former Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has been as dramatic as it was unexpected.
From being regarded as one of Scotland’s most promising young managers less than two years ago, he now stands one game away from losing his job with English non-league club York City after giving himself a resignation ultimatum. Courier Sports writer Ian Roache charts McNamara’s rise and fall.
January 30, 2013: Jackie McNamara is appointed Dundee United manager, leaving Partick Thistle to replace Peter Houston. He names Simon Donnelly as his assistant and Darren Jackson as his first-team coach. He gets off to a flyer in his first game in charge with a 3-0 home win over Rangers in the Scottish Cup.
December 14, 2013: Free-flowing United go to Kilmarnock and win 4-1 in the league, all the goals coming in the second half from Keith Watson, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Gauld and David Goodwillie. That made it five consecutive wins for McNamara’s team, scoring four goals or more in each game, and marked a real purple match for the Tannadice side.
April 12, 2014: One of the most memorable performances of McNamara’s reign comes at Ibrox as United overcome Rangers 3-1 at the “neutral” venue to reach the Scottish Cup final.
May 17, 2014: A United team packed full of talent fails to do themselves justice in the final as they are deservedly beaten 2-0 by St Johnstone at Celtic Park.
August 10, 2014: All thoughts of a final hangover are brushed aside as they start the league campaign with a convincing win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
January 31, 2015: United reach the final of the League Cup thanks to a thrilling 2-1 win over the Dons at Hampden.
February 2, 2015: The semi-final smiles don’t last long as United agree to sell star players Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic.
April 3, 2015: After speculation over whether or not McNamara was entitled to a cut of the Mackay-Steven and Armstrong fees, United admit in a statement that “certain bonuses are payable in respect of player transfers but that he (McNamara) plays no part in any transfer negotiations.”
September 26, 2015: After a poor start to the season, the Tangerines lose 2-1 to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park despite having taken the lead and been up against 10 men after goalkeeper Alan Mannus was sent off midway through the first half. Reports after the game suggest McNamara has been sacked.
September 28, 2015: His departure is finally confirmed in a club statement. It reads: “Dundee United Football Club and Jackie McNamara have mutually agreed the departure of McNamara as first-team manager with immediate effect. Following widely reported talks between the chairman and McNamara, the club and McNamara agreed that a change was required to improve the results of the club’s first team, with immediate change being required following the club’s start to the season.”
November 4, 2015: He is appointed manager of English League Two side York City. His first match in charge is a 3–2 defeat away to Accrington Stanley in the first round of the FA Cup.
April 23, 2016: McNamara’s Minstermen drop out of the English Football League thanks to another defeat from Accrington. He vows to stay on as manager.
October 5, 2016: McNamara issues himself with a resignation ultimatum, saying he will go if York fail to get a “positive result” against Braintree Town.
