The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
European riches will be a ‘game changer’ for United
Tony Asghar admits the potential riches on offer for a European run would be a “game changer” for Dundee United.
The Tangerines are set to participate in continental competition for the first time since 2013, entering the Europa Conference League at the third qualifying round.
Jack Ross’s charges will be unseeded for the draw and, with the likes of Anderlecht, Twente and Wolfsberger in the hat, could land an onerous opponent.
However, if United were to claim a victory, they would then be seeded for the play-off round – and just one tie away from the group stage.
That would be worth well into seven figures.
“The financials of getting into Europe now are a game changer,” said Asghar.
“The group stages can change the dynamic of a football club.
“The owner (Mark Ogren) has been quite clear – he’s looking to generate revenue from this football club.
“Getting into Europe, not just this year but on a regular basis, is going to give us that.
“It’s also going to increase the value of our players. “It can’t be overlooked. “Europe will put a lot of emphasis on how we go about our business and prepare for it.”
United will find out their opponent on July 18, with the fixtures taking place on August 4 and 11.
Meanwhile, Asghar believes United’s continued progress in the face of managerial turnover is a testament to the club’s underlying structure.
Ross is the club’s third permanent boss since Robbie Neilson’s departure in 2020, yet the Tangerines have claimed the Championship title, consolidated in the Premiership and then secured European football in successive campaigns.
“Managers will come and sometimes do so well that someone else will take them,” added Asghar.
“Or maybe the fit for what they’ve done for that period ends and we need to bring someone else in to take it to the next level.
“But I’m comfortable that we’ve kept the same philosophy and model. We’ve been able to add good managers at the right time, and then they move on to other things.”
Tam Courts departed Scotland anticipating a relaxing fortnight of sun, sea and sand in Turkey.
However, the subsequent deluge of calls, Zoom meetings and dispatches back to Dundee United were anything but tranquil.
“I was getting on to WhatsApp audio to make calls, logging into Zoom, having interviews and updating Dundee United,” smiled the former Tannadice head coach.
“It became a pretty stressful holiday!”
Speaking from his new base in Budapest, the Honved manager is discussing his shock United exit in detail for the first time.
Croatian side Rijeka were the first club to declare an interest in Courts’ services after he led the Tangerines to European qualification last season. Full and frank discussions with United sporting director Tony Asghar followed.
“I wanted to be as honest as possible with the club when the interest from Rijeka emerged,” said Courts.
“Because of my relationship with Tony (Asghar), I spoke to him right away. Tony prides himself on developing and selling players – but he also wants to develop and promote staff.
“So, when he said it could be good for my development to have that interview (with Rijeka), I wanted to see if I could command the respect of that size of club. I was just as surprised as anyone.
“As you start to go through that process, different conversations need to happen. Things just started to develop from there.”
Talks with Rijeka were protracted, circuitous and, ultimately, did not result in Courts heading to the banks of the Adriatic.
Instead, Budapest Honved’s sporting director Chris Docherty – an erstwhile Tannadice colleague of Courts – made his approach.
In the meantime, Courts had formally departed United “by mutual consent”.
“(Rijeka talks) probably dragged on for a wee bit too long,” continued Courts.
“That allowed Honved to step in. I know Chris Docherty from our time at Dundee United and the more I researched what they’re trying to do here, there are a lot of similarities with United. They have a very good academy and are a club that should be performing better in terms of their league position.”
He added: “It was never my intention to leave Dundee United. But when the Rijeka opportunity started to develop, and subsequently the Honved one, I got excited about the prospect of working outside Scotland.”
Courts proceeds to wax lyrical about life at Honved – a training ground “up there with the best in England”, complete with cryotherapy chambers, multiple pitches and dormitories; a brand new stadium; a swathe of youth internationalists; the mouth-watering away days to cities he never imagined visiting.
Nevertheless, leaving United – especially with the draw of European football next term – was tough.
“It was difficult to leave because, first and foremost, there is Europe to look forward to,” he continued.
“Next season, there was further opportunity to put my own stamp on things, with five or six new signings. It was a wrench to leave the club.
“I believe I have definitely left it in a better place. The pleasing thing from my perspective is, in the aftermath of it all, Dundee United have appointed a very good manager in Jack Ross, who I think will have
success there. And my relationship with everyone at the club is still intact.”
Courts’ young family have already been to Hungary to visit and intend to return once Honved have completed their upcoming training camp in Slovenia. Allied with getting to know his entire
staff, the players and the city, Courts is steadfast in his determination to “throw himself in” to this challenge. However, mastering the local lingo will be a step too far.
“I was actually told right from the outset not to bother learning Hungarian,” he laughed.
From Kelty to Tannadice to Budapest, the Fifer hopes his intriguing career
path is one that will lead to the upper echelons of the game. “I am an ambitious guy – but I recognise I need to do a good job here,” he added.