Leadership guru urges merger for city’s clubs

A WORLD-RENOWNED leadership consultant and sports performance expert has called for Dundee and Dundee United to merge after visiting the city.

Allistair McCaw – who has worked with some of the world’s biggest sports teams, organisations and personalities – delivered a talk to Dundee youth academy players, coaches and family members on Thursday night.

When leaving the City of Discovery yesterday, he offered a suggestion to its two top football clubs.

Taking to Twitter, McCaw – who has previously worked with Paris SaintGermain, Benfica, Novak Djokovic’s tennis academy and the Scottish Rugby Union – said Dundee and Dundee United should merge.

“Solution to the city of Dundee football,” he said.“Long-standing rivalry. Fact is both struggle in more ways than one. Cut traditions and merge both to become Dundee City FC.”

McCaw suggested a merged Dundee club could consolidate its’ academy efforts, be more financially viable, create “unity” among the city’s football fans and work together to build a shared, modern stadium.

The Northern Ireland-born South African is no stranger to Tayside, having delivered a talk to Dundee United’s academy in 2020. He has also worked regularly with the Dundee’s Kanzen Karate. However, his message is unlikely to chime with fans of either city club.

United are currently chasing a European spot while Dundee look certain to finish bottom of the Premiership.

Meanwhile, Dark Blues managing director John Nelms has spoken of his belief that Dundee’s long-proposed new stadium at Camperdown will be completed by 2024.

Both clubs have separate histories and cultures, with a healthy, yet friendly rivalry that fuels the city’s deep-seated love of football. Nevertheless, talk of the city’s two elite football teams becoming one has reared its head on multiple occasions throughout the years,

In 2019, Dark Blues fans raised concerns over a possible merger when the club’s American owners Tim Keyes and John Nelms increased their shareholding to 75%, even though both Keyes and Nelms dismissed the suggestion. Meanwhile, United’s owner, fellow America Mark Ogren, has previously confirmed he has no plans to raise the subject of merger or even ground sharing with his opposite numbers across the road at Dens.

However, McCaw feels adherence to tradition is a trait that stalls progress.

He tweeted: “Have enjoyed my visits with some organizations and teams this week in the UK. However, something that holds back progress is ‘sticking to old traditions,’ and the ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mentality.

“Today’s world is constantly changing, so too should mindsets.”