Tannadice fans urged to give new boss time
Dundee United fans have been urged to give Thomas Courts time – but the new Tannadice boss was told he will be expected to deliver a top-six finish in 12 months
Tony Asghar has urged the Dundee United support to give Thomas Courts time – but warned the new Tannadice boss he will be expected to deliver a Premiership top-six finish within 12 months.
Youth academy chief Courts, 39,hasbeenhandedthekeysto the first-team dressing room following Micky Mellon's departure. But appointment of the former Kelty Hearts boss has not gone down well with the United faithful amid concerns over a lack of ambition.
However, Courts has the full backing of sporting director Asghar and club owner Mark Ogren. So much so they are refusing to budge on their topsix target for the season ahead.
"Any managerial appointment is a gamble, but this is a calculated gamble because Thomas has been here for the last 18 months and we know what he can bring to the table," said Asghar as Courts was officially unveiled at Tannadice.
"The inference is we're bringing in a rookie manager but I don't see it like that. Fans will always do their own due diligence on a manager whether it be through Google or the media. But we have spoken to everyone within the football department and they have all bought in to it, including the senior players who are excited.
"He took the team last year against Livingston when Micky was isolating and they loved they way he went about his business, so for me that tells me the gamble is not as big as some people make out.
"Last year it was quite clear we were a team coming up from the Championship but part of our strategy for the long-term is to have a real identity of entertaining football. The fans here deserve it, they ask for it so that's something Thomas will bring to the table also.
"The fans are right to be sceptical, but the proof is we have to put a team on the pitch that wins games and plays entertaining football. The target from the owner is that we always get top six. Mickey did a fantastic job but we do have to hit those targets.
"We have a five-year plan, we're coming into year three and we really need to be up there and Thomas knows that's where we need to be – and we need to be there this season, absolutely.
"It's a bold statement but if we add to our squad, I don't see why not. But Thomas loves that pressure. Yeah we're bringing someone from the Academy but he's not a youth himself. He's a man who has a bit about him.
"We've already had words about certain things. He's going to challenge me, I'll challenge him. That has to be the culture at this club to make sure we get better."
Asghar may have set the bar high but Courts says those are worries for another day. "We know the targets we have to get to but I don't see us having to burden ourselves with league positions," he said. "I understand there will be pressure, but for me it's a motivating factor.”
Asghar confirmed that Charlie Mulgrew is a prime target. "We're keen on Charlie, both myself and Thomas have met with him," he revealed. "He has a couple of other things he's looking at but we're quite confident we can bring Charlie to the club.”
There have already been minor disagreements with sporting director Tony Asghar just days into Tam Courts’ reign as Dundee United’s new head coach. A ‘yes man’ he is not.
An internal appointment to replace former manager Micky Mellon, 39-year-old Courts steps up from a role as United’s head of tactical performance with clear ideas on what he wants at Tannadice Park. One of his desires is the signature of former Celtic and Scotland defender Charlie Mulgrew, a free agent after leaving Blackburn Rovers.
Courts is adamant he will have final say on transfer matters. He works with Asghar on recruitment but is determined to do things his way. Perceived as the cheap option by some fans hoping for a bigger name, he spent five years managing Kelty Hearts and a further three on United’s coaching staff preparing for this chance.
Whatever he may lack in senior football experience he intends to make up for in gumption and drive to ensure this new project works. Courts will be assisted by former Hearts and Livingston coach Liam Fox, two men who harbour specific beliefs on coaching and playing styles.
Players report for pre-season training at the end of next week but work has already begun. “Part of my job doing the opposition analysis previously would naturally involve me in recruitment meetings,” said Courts. “I would be making recommendations from the games that I had seen in terms of who might be of inter est to the club. We are actually a very fluid club here in terms of how communication flows. So I have a very good understanding of the signing targets, the profiles and what’s required.”
Does 35-year-old Mulgrew fall into the ‘required’ category? “Probably at this stage he does,” admitted Courts.
“I think he will be fantastic for us on the pitch if we can secure him – both for our younger players and where we want to take the club.
“The head coach has to have final say on transfers at all times. Tony and I have spoken about that and there is no disagreement over that. Also by the same token, the club makes a heavy investment. So it is very much a consensus approach but ultimately the head coach has to have the final decision.”
Courts accepts that his promotion is a significant gamble. The club were promoted to the Scottish Premiership only 12 months ago and finished ninth last season, eight points above the relegation zone.
Mellon’s departure last month left an opening Courts did not apply for. He was invited for interview and then chosen by the board as the most suitable successor.
“I think it’s a brave and courageous move,” he said. “It’s not one that I expected, hence the reason I didn’t apply for the role. I didn’t have a frame of reference for this club or other clubs actually making this type of appointment.
“I was pleasantly surprised when the club invited me to have a chat. The process probably took a bit longer than everyone expected because I had a lot of questions and requirements – in terms of where I see the club going and the support that would be needed.
“I just wanted to make sure that alignment was sought right from the outset. I’m really happy that that’s in place.”