Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Micky has same mental belief as Jurgen and Pep
HE may not be such an exotic or household name as Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola but Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar believes Micky Mellon can bring their mentality to the Tangerines.
Asghar insists the 48-year-old Scot, who signed a two-year deal to become the new United boss on Monday, is cut from the same cloth as his more glamorous counterparts.
The Tannadice chief thinks Mellon works with players the same way as Liverpool gaffer Klopp and City coach Pep, and is hoping his new man can bring stability to the Terrors.
“He’s here to get the players to believe in how he’s coaching them,” Asghar said.
“He wants them to see the things he’s put in place for them, to run through a brick wall for them and do that extra 10% to get a competitive advantage.
“Psychology is huge now in players in how they’re treated and talked to.
“You only have to look at how the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City have been successful because the players want to play for the manager.
“That’s really important and that’s what we need to build here.
“We need to build an environment where players are saying they want to be here and commit themselves for the long term.
“If you have that commitment, I believe there’s a lot of sustainability and I think this club has needed that for a long time and we’re starting to get that.”
As for their immediate ambitions under the former Fleetwood Town, Shrewsbury and Tranmere boss, Asghar says Mellon’s aiming to go toe-to-toe with the Premiership’s big boys next season.
“It’s tough to say we’ll be looking at trophies right away but I think we all know how tough it’s going to be in the Premiership,” he said.
“Micky’s job is to galvanise and build. He’s always had that winning ambition for as long as I’ve known him and I think that’s another key attribute.
“He’s a Glasgow boy. He comes from Pollok and, while I always