The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Shrimps boss Adams eyes Tannadice post
UNITED: Former Staggies manager keen on succeeding Neilson in Tangerines hot-seat
Derek Adams is interested in replacing Robbie Neilson as Dundee United manager – along with Slaven Bilic’s former assistant Marijo Tot.
Former Ross County and Plymouth Argyle boss, Adams, is currently in charge of English League Two outfit Morecambe, but is understood to be keen on a move back to Scotland after five years south of the border.
However, competition for the coveted Tannadice job is hotting up, with Tot amongst the latest applicants.
The 48-year-old Croatian was part of West Brom boss Bilic’s backroom team during his fivemonth stint with Al-Ittihad last year.
Bilic and his staff had their contracts with the Saudi side terminated in February 2019, a move that resulted in Fifa intervention and a ruling ordering the club to pay their former manager in excess of £12 million.
Tot, whose CV features stints at Dinamo Zagreb and Rijeka in his homeland and spells in China and Malaysia, also claimed compensation.
Former West Ham boss, Bilic, was impressed with his countryman during their time together in the Middle East and had hoped to team up with Tot at the Hawthorns, but the Croatian coach was keen to establish himself as a number one again.
A source close to the former defender, said: “Marijo is a great coach and is very educated in football.
“He is very interested in the job at Dundee United and thinks it would be a fantastic place to be a manager. He speaks fluent English and is very experienced in many countries abroad.”
United’s current first team coach Lee McCulloch and assistant manager Gordon Forrest remain firmly in the frame to replace Robbie Neilson, while bookies’ favourite Tommy Wright was interviewed yesterday – along with Motherwell boss Stephen Robinson – for the vacant Northern Ireland job.
Former Tangerines boss Peter Houston, meanwhile, has ruled out a return to the Tannadice dugout.
Craig Levein, whom Houston was assistant to at United before taking the top job himself, remains in the running, according to the bookies.
But 2010 Scottish Cup-winning hero Houstie is not a candidate.
It had been suggested by some, including Evening Telegraph columnist Lee Wilkie, that the 61-year-old would be keen on a return to a club close to his heart.
However, as true as his affection is, for Houston, it is not a case of unfinished business or having a point to prove at United.
Instead, he feels he has had his time and someone else should take on the role.
In fact, Courier Sport understands the former Falkirk boss is in no hurry to return to first team management at all and is settled at home in Glasgow.
Houston is currently No 2 to Scotland Under-21 boss Scot Gemmill and firstteam opposition analyst at Celtic.