The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Decision time for club chiefs after relegation is confirmed
Dundee’s relegation to the Championship has been confirmed.
St Johnstone’s win over Aberdeen now means the Perth Saints can’t be caught in 11th place.
Despite a triumphant return to the top flight a year ago, Dundee’s time at the top table has not been a happy one.
Tuesday’s victory over Hibs was only their sixth of the season and Mark McGhee’s first in 13 attempts as manager.
Now they have been relegated back to the Championship, there are decisions to be made by the club’s hierarchy.
Mark McGhee
The biggest decision of course is who takes charge next season. McGhee is the man who has overseen the club being relegated, but his short-term deal signed in February comes to an end this summer.
So, has he done enough to keep the job? The vast majority of Dundee fans would say no, not by a long way.
How managing director John Nelms sees it, though, is what matters. There has been no indication yet from the club which way they might go but there is still a chance McGhee stays on.
Gordon Strachan’s opinion will be key. Nelms will listen to his technical director and the vast experience he has in the game. And that could be to stick with his old friend in charge, despite a dreadful record.
If McGhee leaves, the manhunt begins for Dundee’s 37th permanent manager.
But, who is out there? Jack Ross’s name always pops up but whether he would go back to the Championship is a big question.
Kevin Thomson may be snapped up by another club before Dundee get a chance to look at him.
Would assistant manager Simon Rusk be given the main job? He is highlyregarded by Strachan and McGhee.
Or is there another option already there? Charlie Adam
Skipper Adam took his chance to say goodbye to fans at Dens Park on Tuesday night, though his future remains in the air.
Whatever happens next,
he made clear his desire to move into management when he does hang up his boots.
He would be completely untested and inexperienced as a coach but he’d no doubt jump at the chance to take charge of his boyhood club.
If the Dundee board think it is a bit soon for such a move, it would seem hugely wasteful to let a talent and personality like Adam just walk out the door. Either way, his future will be decided by whoever is in charge next term. Championship squad Some Dundee fans will disagree but the squad at Dens Park is in pretty good shape for the Championship. Danny Mullen will likely leave, so a striker, or possibly two, will be required.
Another centre-half is a priority also if Ricki Lamie’s pre-contract deal collapses.
But looking at the rest, the Dark Blues will be strong favourites to come straight back up.
Without a big-spending rival like Dundee United or Hearts as before, Dundee will be the big fish in the Championship pond.
Two out of St Johnstone, Arbroath and Inverness
will also be in the second tier, along with Partick Thistle, who reached the play-offs, Raith Rovers, Morton, Ayr, Hamilton and Cove Rangers. Queen’s Park or Airdrieonians play-off to fill the final spot.
Dundee’s squad contains players like Lee Ashcroft, Ryan Sweeney, Cammy Kerr, Jordan Marshall, Jordan McGhee, Shaun Byrne, Max Anderson, Josh Mulligan, Paul McMullan, Luke McCowan, Niall McGinn, Paul McGowan, Zak Rudden, Harry Sharp and Adam Legzdins.
Each of those 15 would be capable of stepping into any other Championship starting XI.
That is a good place to start your summer. Adding more quality on top will make Dundee a very strong second-tier outfit.
New stadium
The new stadium project at Camperdown Park won’t be affected by the club being relegated.
Updates on the development are expected soon after Nelms revealed his ambitious 2024 target date.
The Dens MD will continue with those plans regardless of the division Dundee find themselves in.