The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Courts reveals surprise connection to new club
Tam Courts has revealed that Budapest Honved were the first team he ever watched live as the former Dundee United boss opened up on his shock switch to Hungary.
Courts, 40, was a freshfaced lad in the crowd when Celtic dispatched the visitors 4-0 at Parkhead in 1988.
And while that was a night to forget for the 14time champions of Hungary – the club that brought through Ferenc Puskas – Courts is adamant he is acutely aware of the weight of history as he seeks to revive their fortunes.
Honved finished 10th in the top flight last season and the ex-Tangerines gaffer will be charged with addressing that malaise.
“The most appealing thing to me in Honved is the huge history of the club – and the opportunity to take my share of that development,” Courts said.
“I am very excited because I know exactly what football means here.
“In fact, Honved was the first professional team I saw play live when they played against Celtic in Glasgow in the late 1980s.
“We have a great training centre, a beautiful stadium and I see plenty of potential in this club.
“I can see the desire in everyone to make the team perform better. There are clearly very talented people working here and, if we can achieve unity between the players and the staff, we are looking forward to a good period on the pitch.”
Courts officially departed Tannadice “by mutual consent” on Tuesday, having entered into talks with Croatian side Rijeka.
Despite that move falling through, he swiftly penned a two-year contract with Honved – where he links up with sporting director Chris Docherty, a former United colleague.
Indeed, Docherty succeeded Courts as United’s head of tactical performance last summer.
“The assumption that Chris was a big factor didn’t come from thin air,” continued Courts.
“We worked closely at Dundee United.
“The two clubs are similar in many ways – both have great traditions and, like Dundee United, the role of the academy in the club model is extremely important at Honved.
“After working well with Chris at Dundee United, we want to transfer our experience and philosophy to Hungary and we will do our best to make our work a success.”
And Courts, who guided United to European qualification in his sole campaign in charge of the Terrors, has no qualms about bucking the trend in becoming a rare Scottish head coach abroad.
“It’s a great challenge, for sure,” he added.
“In general, Scottish coaches and players don’t move as much as those of other nationalities.
“I don’t know why. Maybe because we live on an island? From my point of view, I’m 40 years old and I have a successful season behind me. This is a good time to experience something new.”
Courts met his new squad yesterday and will oversee his first training session on Monday.
“We have a beautiful stadium and I see plenty of potential at this club