Dundee United are edging closer to appointing their next head coach.
Current interim boss Liam Fox is thought to be the frontrunner for the position, with previous second-favourite Duncan Ferguson not among the candidates.
United are expected to reach a decision in the coming days and, depending on how talks with their preferred candidate progress, could name Jack Ross’ successor by the end of the week.
However, timelines remain fluid. The process is certainly expected to be concluded prior to the upcoming international break.
And as D-Day approaches for the Tangerines, Courier Sport looks at the top priorities for the incoming gaffer as he seeks to lift United off the foot of the table.
Build a coaching team
Head coach is not the only vacancy at Tannadice.
Following the departure of Adam Asghar, there is now a slightly make-shift look to the backroom team.
Fox is interim — albeit firmly in contention to succeed Ross on a permanent basis. Craig Hinchliffe seems likely to remain as goalkeeping coach.
For the moment, former United favourite Dave Bowman is helping out on the training pitch.
However, the first task on the to-do list will be to recruit a renewed, revitalised staff.
Should Fox land the top job, then an assistant who can provide technical support, experience and energise the supporters would go a long way to assuaging fans’ fears regarding his own lack of management pedigree.
Even then, the Tangerines would still be a man down compared to the four-person team of Ross, Fox, Asghar and Hinchliffe, and — assuming Bowman is not a long-term fit — would benefit from another body.
If Fox was to be overlooked, then the question would be: will he step back into his previous role as No.2?
If not, a complete dugout revolution is on the cards.
The intrigue of the upcoming appointment extends well beyond the person who lands the top job.
Spark some attacking endeavour
Despite undoubted success last term — especially compared to this season — Tam Courts never quite won over those punters who craved attacking football to go with their solid points total.
Ross’ attempts to move towards a more swashbuckling side were ill-fated and, in the case of 7-0 and 9-0 defeats against AZ Alkmaar and Celtic, downright disastrous.
Nevertheless, that still remains a goal for United and, from the boardroom to the dugout, there is a belief that The Tangerines boast the talent to trouble opposition defences and entertain their own support.
Fox’s first two matches in charge were largely focused on being diligent, resilient and taking pride in a stout defence; entirely understandable and fairly successful.
A 2-1 win at Livingston and a 0-0 draw at Motherwell are positive results.
However, United have scored one league goal from open play all season — on the opening day of the season against Kilmarnock.
The Terrors’ non-penalty xG (expected goals) is the lowest in the division at 0.60, characterising a team which does not create clear-cut chances.
On a positive note, it would seem the only way is up.
Energise the fanbase
It may only be mid-September, but United fans have taken a beating.
Entire campaigns have passed previously without some of the shuddering lows endured by Arabs in a matter of weeks.
That seven-goal hammering in Holland equalled the heaviest-ever defeat for a Scottish club in Europe.
The nine shipped at Tannadice against the Hoops was their most comprehensive defeat on home soil; a chastening experience for all inside the stadium wearing Tangerine.
And another manager has come and gone.
As unwanted landmarks fall, they have watched their side turn in meek, porous showings, prompting many to question the squad’s work ethic.
Allied with the attacking impotence already mentioned, there has been little to shout about.
Particularly at Tannadice — where United have not played since THAT game against Celtic — the new management team must find a way to enthuse weary fans.
Find elusive longevity
Logic would say that a club cannot keep churning through managers and retain a modicum of success.
However, United have confounded that theory.
Amid the whirl of Tannadice’s revolving door, the unchanging structure behind the scenes has ensured United have improved season-upon-season since the takeover of Mark Ogren. That much is inarguable.
However, as the Terrors search for their fifth manager since 2020, the departure of Ross feels like a tipping point; a high-profile, expensive misstep rather than the more natural parting of the ways — explained away for various reasons — involving Robbie Neilson, Micky Mellon and Tam Courts.
If ever United could do with some stability and longevity at the helm, it is now. Whether that is a goal the new boss can fulfil, time will tell.
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