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EXCLUSIVE: Tam Courts set for shock Saudi Arabia move as former Dundee United boss nears return to football

Courts' switch could be confirmed this month.

Tam Courts applauds Dundee United fans during his time in charge
Tam Courts applauds Dundee United fans during his time in charge. Image: SNS

Former Dundee United head coach Tam Courts is nearing a stunning switch to Saudi Arabia.

Courier Sport understands Courts is in advanced talks with newly promoted Pro League outfit Al-Qadsiah FC.

While the coaching position is not a managerial post – boss Michel recently penned a new contract – it is sufficiently attractive to tempt Courts back to football following 20 months on the sidelines.

Tam Courts during his time in charge of Dundee United
Tam Courts during his time in charge of Dundee United. Image: SNS

Barring any unforeseen complications, a deal is expected to be struck in the coming weeks.

Ambitious Al-Qadsiah – the reported destination for departed Rangers chief executive James Bisgrove – are owned by oil giant Aramco who were, as of 2023, the second-largest company in the world by revenue.

They have recently snapped up Champions League-winning Real Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez and Belgian No.1 Koen Casteels as they attempt to become a force in the Middle-East.

Incoming signing Nacho FernĂ¡ndez won the Champions League with Real Madrid.
Incoming signing Nacho FernĂ¡ndez won the Champions League with Real Madrid. Image: Shutterstock.

As well as splashing the cash to build a fearsome first-team, Al-Qadsiah also aim to produce top homegrown talent ahead of Saudi Arabia hosting the World Cup in 2034.

His expertise working with emerging youngsters thought to have been a major selling point in that regard.

Courts, 42, has been without a club since his four-month stint at Budapest Honved came to an end in October 2022.

Former Dundee United head coach Tam Courts.
Tam Courts on his Honved unveiling. Image: Budapest Honved FC

Prior to that brief adventure in Hungary, he led United to a superb 4th placed finish in the Premiership in his sole season in charge of the Tangerines, securing European qualification for the first time in a decade.

He also served as head of tactical performance with the United academy and enjoyed a hugely successful period in charge of Kelty Hearts.

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