Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson insists there is a “lot to be upbeat about” as the club looks for a new manager.
Official confirmation that Jackie McNamara and his backroom team of assistant Simon Donnelly, first-team coach Darren Jackson and goalkeeping coach Craig Hinchcliffe have left by mutual consent finally arrived late last night at the conclusion of talks to thrash out a severance package.
In the aftermath of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone at McDiarmid Park, it was Thompson who informed the team boss that the board no longer wanted him in charge of the Tangerines.
The Tannadice chief last night thanked McNamara for his service to United and also looked ahead to an “exciting future” for the team with a new face in charge.
Thompson said: “I’d like to personally thank Jackie McNamara for his efforts during his tenure which saw him become the longest-serving manager in the league.
“Everyone at the club from the board to the coaching staff, from the players to the fans knows our recent run of results and current position in the league isn’t good enough and we all want the club back to where it should be, challenging for silverware and European qualification.
“We’ve finished in the top six for eight consecutive seasons and reached four cup finals in that time, against a backdrop of reducing the club’s debt significantly.
“Although this has not been easy, it’s the standard we have set here at United.
“We have a strategy to run the club in a financially sustainable way while achieving real progress on the pitch and these things are not mutually exclusive.
“This is a big club with a large squad and playing budget, so we won’t be short of interest from top managers within the game.
“We have one of the most exciting young squads in British football and a lot to be upbeat about. The next manager will be taking on a talented bunch of players at an exciting time for the football club.”
Earlier in the night, the club issued a statement confirming the departures of McNamara and his coaches.
It read: “Dundee United Football Club and Jackie McNamara have mutually agreed the departure of McNamara as first team manager with immediate effect.
“Following widely reported talks between the chairman and McNamara, the club and McNamara agreed that a change was required to improve the results of the club’s first team, with immediate change being required following the club’s start to the season.
“Simon Donnelly, Darren Jackson and Craig Hinchliffe (sic) have also left the club.
“The club thanks Messrs McNamara, Donnelly, Jackson and Hinchliffe (sic) for their service.
“The club will commence recruitment for a new first team manager and associated staff.”
Possible candidates to replace McNamara include Scotland first-team coach Stuart McCall, St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright, former Finland gaffer Mixu Paatelainen, Ross County’s Jim McIntyre and Ray McKinnon of Raith Rovers.
There has even been speculation that former Aston Villa boss Paul Lambert could be interested.