Dundee United finally confirm Mckinnon exit
Dundee United finally officially announced the departure of manager Ray Mckinnon yesterday.
His sacking had been widely reported since an emergency board meeting was held after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat by Inverness. That second consecutive defeat left United fourth in the Ladbrokes Championship and five points adrift of leaders St Mirren.
A club statement said: “Dundee United and Ray Mckinnon have mutually agreed the manager’s departure with immediate effect. The club thanks Ray for his service and will now commence the search for a new manager.”
In a statement on the club’s official website, Mckinnon, pictured, said: “It is disappointing that my time as manager of United has come to an end.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to both play for and then manage my hometown club that I have supported all my life.
“I would like to thank the fans for their support over my time in charge. Also, I’d like to thank everyone at Dundee United for their efforts during my tenure.
“I wish the club every success moving forward and I’m certain they will be back where they belong shortly.”
The former Raith Rovers manager succeeded Mixu Paatelainen in June 2016 following United’s relegation and his new-look side mounted a brief challenge to Hibernian before falling away after New Year, although they won the Irnbru Cup in March.
They eventually finished third before losing to Hamilton in the play-off final and missing out on promotion.
More was expected of United this season after Mckinnon brought in experienced players such as Fraser Fyvie, James Keatings, Scott Mcdonald and Paul Quinn, and chairman Stephen Thompson and his fellow directors have decided action is required to kickstart their promotion bid.
United reported a loss of more than £1.5million in their relegation season and were planning to make budget cutbacks of a similar amount this campaign.
John Hughes and Jim Mcintyre are the favourites to land the job of reviving United’s promotion push and both are available.
Thompson failed in an approach to Inverness over Hughes before appointing Paatelainen two years ago, while former United striker Mcintyre guided Ross County to League Cup glory in 2016 before losing his job last month.