The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Negative response to Courts shocked Ogren
Mark Ogren confesses he was “taken aback” by the severity of criticism following Dundee United’s decision to appoint Tam Courts as manager.
Tangerines owner Ogren rolled the dice on the advisement of sporting director Tony Asghar, handing the reins to the rookie boss last summer.
Courts’ only previous experience of senior management was in the South of Scotland League at Kelty Hearts – prompting an immediate backlash in some quarters.
However, Ogren is adamant United’s decision was an educated one, given the fine work Courts had been doing within the Tannadice youth ranks.
Courts has gone on to lead the Terrors back into Europe for the first time in a decade; an undeniably successful maiden campaign at this level.
“There was a lot of negativity around that appointment,” Ogren said.
“It wasn’t so much they didn’t like Tam (Courts).
“Quite frankly, they didn’t know him. We knew him because he was already with the club, working with the younger players. We knew what we were getting and what he could end up being.
“He has fulfilled that promise.”
Asked if he got a sense of the disenchantment from his base in the US, Ogren added: “Oh, yes! I am not on social media but I was well aware of it.
“You are always going to have negativity. You can have a nice sunny day out there but you will have someone who finds something to complain about. But the extent of the negativity? I was taken aback. They weren’t doing it to go after Tam as a person. They were afraid.
“They were afraid that we didn’t know what we were doing – I get that.”
To this day, there is a portion of the fan base – particularly prominent on social media – who remain sceptical.
Ogren, however, is delighted to see the way Courts has won over many supporters.
“We had a fan group meeting on Thursday night,” continued Ogren.
“Some of the fans put their hand up to say they had been negative about (the appointment) – but congratulations and nice work.
“So, yes, I feel good about that.”
Is that a form of vindication? “Not for me personally,” Ogren answers.
“I am happiest for Tony Asghar and Tam as they are the two who got the brunt of it.
“Ultimately, it was Tony who wanted to bring him in. He knew him and felt it was the right appointment. I supported him on that.”
Indeed, Courts’ efforts with United have been enough to see him linked with a switch to the English Championship by Twitter transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
While in no rush to lose his head coach, Ogren has no doubt Courts is destined for big things.
“Tam is on a longer-term contract but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an opportunity for him to go at some point,” he added.
“We expect that he will go at some point because he is THAT good.
“We develop players, develop coaches, develop staff. There always comes a point in time where people have other opportunities.
“We understand that and we are not going to stand in the way of that.
“But it has to be at the right time for the right reasons.”