Laszlo sorry to see Thompson depart

United manager Csaba Laszlo has welcomed his new chairman while also expressing his sadness at the departure of Stephen Thompson, writes Ian Roache.

Laszlo has held discussions with Mike Martin since it was announced last Friday that the Edinburgh-based banker had taken charge at Tannadice.

The boss has already begun working closely with Martin but the Hungarian also took time to express his regret at saying goodbye to Thompson, the man who appointed him.

Laszlo said: “There is someone new coming in who has his own ideas. Just as I was committed to the former chairman now I am committed to the new one, as well as to the club.

“When a chairman leaves a club you wonder what is next but, after talking to Mike Martin, I saw that he is also positive and wants to follow his own ideas.

“It is important to have a plan and I am willing to stay and work with the new board.

“I am an employee of the club, of course, and every manager has to deliver results. That is my job.

“Mike Martin has given me targets as part of his plan and told me what he wants to do.

“I was also really sad when I heard that Stephen Thompson was moving out of the club.

“He was here for a very long time and he took over a job that was not easy.

“It was a family tradition for him and the Thompsons. Given the family’s history, it was not easy to make this decision.

“I know people had different opinions (about Thompson) but this is mine.

“We talked about it and when he told me it was quite an emotional time.

“This wasn’t just a conversation between an employee and chairman. It was deeper than that and more emotional.

“I have a high respect for him and wish him well for the future.”

Laszlo has told Martin how he feels United can get out of their current malaise and the new supremo has reciprocated.

“Mike Martin and I have talked about the situation, very often on the phone and also face to face,” said the Tangerines gaffer.

“He wanted my opinion and now he knows my opinion.

“This is his first day in the job and I’m sure it is not easy to be taking Dundee United over at a time when not everything is OK.

“I hope everything will be positive and I know he and the board want the best for United.”

Laszlo is well aware that many supporters are not happy about Martin taking over from Thompson, given the pair’s close working relationship in the past, and would have preferred a sweeping change in the boardroom.

However, he urged everyone to be united.

He added: “At the moment the club is in the Championship but we all want to go back where we belong, which is the Premiership.

“For this reason, I would say to the fans to put forward their private opinions, which they are free to do, but also remember that the club needs to move forward together.

“Having new people in charge could have a positive effect on the club, with new ideas, and I hope this works out positively.”

Laszlo also stressed that the players should be unaffected by the changes made upstairs.

He said: “If you go out on the pitch as a player no one asks who the new chairman is.

“The chairman is not on the park – it’s the players who have to deliver for United.”

Meanwhile, Laszlo disclosed that Grant Gillespie, who has a calf injury, would have missed tonight’s Queen of the South game had it not been postponed.

The good news, though, is that Scott Fraser’s comeback edges ever closer. Laszlo said: “He is running, which is very positive, and I think that in three weeks maybe he will be OK.”

Csaba Lazslo: given targets by his new chairman.