Laszlo in frame for United job

Raith captain sings praises of former Hearts manager

Former Hearts manager Csaba Laszlo has emerged as a leading candidate for the Dundee United job.

The 53-year-old Romanianborn Hungarian has been interviewed for the Tannadice vacancy and is now considered a serious contender to replace Ray McKinnon.

The Tangerines hope to announce their new man over the next day or so and, with the club wanting an experienced coach rather than a young boss, Laszlo fits the bill.

He lives in Edinburgh and obviously has an understanding of the Scottish game from his successful spell at Tynecastle.

He spent 18 months at Hearts from July 2008 and led them to third place in the then SPL and qualified for the Europa League.

Jason Thomson reckons Csaba Laszlo’s passion for football could be just what Dundee United need to resurrect their title bid.

The former Hearts manager has been installed as the new favourite to succeed Ray McKinnon at Tannadice after being interviewed for the post.

It is understood chairman Stephen Thompson has sounded out former Hearts and United defender Ryan McGowan about the Hungarian, who was once dubbed the ‘miracle man’ for leading Uganda to the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in three decades.

Laszlo ‘s reign with the Jambos lasted 18 months and the 53-year-old ranks as the longest-serving manager of the ill-fated Vladimir Romanov era at the club.

Raith Rovers skipper Thomson made almost half of all his Hearts appearances under Laszlo and believes what will be seen by most as a left-field appointment could turn out to make plenty of sense for United.

The Tangerines – who have also been linked with Jim McIntyre, John Hughes and David Hopkin – are hunting for the right man to get the best out of the likes of Scott McDonald, Fraser Fyvie, James Keatings and Billy King.

The Raith Rovers skipper said: “I don’t think there would be many boys who played under Csaba at Hearts at that time who would have a bad word to say about him.

“I certainly played quite a lot of my games for Hearts when he was in charge and I enjoyed that time.

“He was working under difficult circumstances, with the owner at the time, but if he was the longestlasting manager under Romanov then he must have been doing something right.

“I was still quite young at the time but he was the first manager I had who focused so much on team shape.

“Now knowing what I do from a bit more experience I know that’s something that you need to do.

“What I remember most, though, is that he was really passionate about football, very football-oriented, and that came across in his management style.

“He’s got a lot of experience, across Europe and in Africa, in both club football and international football, and if he gets the job it could turn out to be a magnificent appointment come the end of May.”