Jim Goodwin has joked that the lofty demands of Dundee United supporters are nothing compared to the Championship pressure being piled on by his son.
Speaking to the Open Goal podcast, the Tannadice boss cited St Mirren’s League Cup triumph in 2013 as his proudest achievement in football.
Goodwin was the Buddies’ captain as they defeated Hearts 3-2 in the Hampden showpiece and, with the Irishman joined for the on-field celebrations by his daughters, Ava and Millie, it was a magic moment.
His wife, Laura Jane, was pregnant with Goodwin’s son at the time.
And now 10 years old and a football-mad goalkeeping prospect, young James wants a similar photo of his own.
“That St Mirren win probably sticks out the most, purely because of the stage of my career I was at,” said Goodwin. “Especially having my wife there, with my two girls.
“Those memories; if it happens when you are 18 years old, you probably don’t appreciate it as much. But I was 33 at the time.
“We got my girls onto the pitch and have some great pictures of that. How my wife got through that day, I don’t know. She was seven months pregnant with my boy.
“My boy sees that picture of me with the two girls and the cup and, at his age and being football-daft, he is absolutely desperate for me to win something.
“So, as much pressure as the Dundee United supporters put on us, there’s no more pressure than my wee boy is putting on me to make sure we win this league so we can get a picture of him with the trophy!”
His dugout return
Meanwhile, Goodwin revealed that he had tentative contact with Motherwell prior to the Fir Park vacancy going to Stuart Kettlewell on a permanent basis, albeit it never progressed past an informal couple of messages.
Instead, it was United who managed to lure him back into the dugout following his sacking by Aberdeen.
He added: “The Motherwell one had come up prior to that. I did have an off-the-record conversation with Motherwell. I never put my CV in or applied for it. But I did get a WhatsApp from someone asking why I hadn’t.
“I just didn’t feel it was the right time.
“The Dundee United one was only a week or two later but I spoke to them and did feel that was the right opportunity to get back in.
“How lucky I am to be let go by such a big club, in Aberdeen, to then be given my next chance at another huge club, Dundee United. I’m a very lucky man to have had the opportunities that I’ve had at this age.
“I don’t take that for granted.”
Pittodrie exit
Of that Aberdeen exit, Goodwin was candid regarding his final days in the job.
In the aftermath a 1-0 humbling against Darvel in the Scottish Cup, he pleaded his case to Dons chiefs and was kept on for the subsequent game against Hibs. But, as a 6-0 hammering unfolded, he knew his time was up.
“I felt the Darvel game would be the final nail in the coffin and I fully expected to be released of my duties,” Goodwin continued. “But I fought tooth and nail to stay in that job.
“I spoke to the chairman (Dave Cormack) and asked to sit down and meet with the rest of the board members. I think a few of them had already made their minds up. But I asked for one last crack at it; “give me the Hibs game”.
“As the goals were going in (at Easter Road), I knew what was coming after the game. I met Steven Gunn (director of football operations) in the tunnel, and he asked if I wanted to speak to the players.
“I said, “no, let’s just get it over and done with”.
“After that, I went to see the chairman, shook his hand and thanked him for the opportunity. I broke the news to the players and left.”
Top 6 sustainability
Goodwin’s bid to guide United back to the top-flight at the first time of asking has started in fine fashion.
The Terrors remain unbeaten in the second tier and four points ahead of Raith Rovers.
Promotion is the first aim for Goodwin – but he is determined to enjoy a lengthy stay at Tannadice and build a club capable of a protracted stint in the top-six of the Premiership.
Goodwin added: “After what has happened in the last couple of years – leaving St Mirren then a short period at Aberdeen – I’d really like to spend a significant period of time with Dundee United.
“The short-to-medium-term objective is to get back to the Premiership and them build something that is sustainable; make us a top-six team, consistently.
“I have other ambitions out-with that. I’ve always fancied the idea of managing in England. I had eight great years down there as a player and that would be the long-term goal.
“After that, I’d love to manage my country one day. That’s what the ultimate goal would be for me.”
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