Paatelainen has plans for future at Tannadice . . . if he keeps job
MIXU PAATELAINEN is going down swinging. Barring an unlikely miracle, his Dundee United side will be relegated at some point in the coming week, possibly at derby rivals Dundee on Monday night or if not then probably away to Inverness Caledonian Thistle on Friday evening. It will put a full stop on what has been a dreadful campaign at Tannadice from start to finish. Given their financial worries and impending budget slashing, it may be some time before United even start to recover.
Paatelainen, only appointed as Jackie McNamara’s successor in October, could pay for that setback with his job. He acknowledges as much. Should he be given the chance of taking United back out of the Championship next season, however, then he would like to do so with a clean slate. Too many players, he feels, have not stood up sufficiently to the pressure this season. There has been a lack of spirit, bottle and character and it clearly disappoints and frustrates him. Players worrying about their own situation are unlikely to find much in the way of sympathy from the manager.
“Strong characters are not bothered because they believe they will survive and will be fine,” he said. “Weak characters crumble and become even weaker. That’s the way it goes. That’s the law of the jungle. My message to the players the first time we met after Sunday’s defeat to Hamilton was that there was no room for them to feel sorry themselves. They need to keep their heads high and be like steel. There is no room for weak mentalities. There’s been a lot of pressure on us but strong individuals respond to that, and weak ones don’t. I need as many strong individuals in my team as possible.”
He believes the squad he inherited from McNamara has been found wanting on too many occasions this season. “All in all we have improved in terms of steel, desire and determination,” he added. “There have been many occasions where we haven’t been bad at all. But too often the softness and slackness keeps surfacing. That is frustrating.
“I respect our players and like working with them because of their attitude but we do have deficiencies in the squad otherwise we wouldn’t be in this position. We keep working very hard on improving those things but unfortunately the same mistakes keep happening. It’s the same softness, the same slackness. I don’t think it’s wrong to say that this team is nowhere near the quality that Dundee United is used to. I don’t think anyone could disagree with that.”
Paatelainen understands why there will also be a spotlight trained on him after failing to reverse the downward trend that began under his predecessor.
“I’ve got no problem with the fact my position has been questioned, it’s only natural in this position. I’ve been here a few months but this really isn’t my squad.
“I don’t regret taking the job. I knew it would be difficult. But I must say it’s been a very hard winter. I’m not someone who shies away from challenges. I want to make this right. We’ve made clear plans already about how to go forward. I know what to correct to be better next season.
“It’s not in my hands whether I will get the chance to make those changes so I don’t worry about that. I haven’t spoken to anyone about my future.
“No manager’s position is ever 100 per cent assured. That’s the way football works. I’m not daft but I’ll keep working.”