For a time, Jackie McNamara could do no wrong at Dundee United.
After taking charge in 2013 following an impressive spell in his first managerial role at Partick Thistle, he put together a young team who produced some of the most scintillating football ever seen at Tannadice, with four-goal victories and edge-of-the-seat attacking play becoming the norm.
Then it all went wrong…
A flat performance in a Scottish Cup final against St Johnstone in 2014 heralded a downward spiral for his band of Tangerines and matters culminated with the sale of star attractions Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to rivals Celtic in early 2015.
Allegations that a clause in McNamara’s contract — agreed with then chairman Stephen Thompson — meant he made money from player sales only added to fans’ anger.
No surprise, then, that his sudden appearance on Twitter this week did not go down well with all of a Tangerine persuasion.
The former Celtic player joined Twitter in a baptism of fire – quickly amassing more than 11,000 followers.
However, his appeal to the good people of the social media site to “be nice” received the inevitable response.
McNamara posted: “Took the plunge and finally joined @Twitter. Be nice!”
Took the plunge and finally joined @Twitter. Be nice! ??☘️ pic.twitter.com/othpFUEAsz
— Jackie McNamara (@Jackie_Mc4) November 12, 2018
United fans were not slow in replying.
Miles posted:
Taz added:
McNamara and St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright were never the best of friends during Jackie’s time in Tayside, with both being sent to the stands after an infamous spat during one of Saints’ regular victories during Jackie’s reign.
So Cal was happy to imagine how Wright might have reacted when asked about his former Tayside rival:
But Jackie did not only have to cope with anger from fans of the Arabs.
After leaving United he was appointed manager of York City — and The Minstermen’s supporters have clearly not forgiven McNamara for leading their club out of the Football League and through back-to-back relegations.
Craig Nicoll invited fellow York fans to get involved…
And they did. Jono and Steve are particularly bitter:
Olly stuck to the facts, pointing out Jackie’s less than impressive win rate while in charge down south:
Andrew summed it up as:
Football fans eh? They can be so cruel.
So credit to Harvey Robertson, who was able to remember that it wasn’t all bad:
