Dundee have appointed Jimmy Boyle as assistant manager to Jim McIntyre.
The 51-year-old steps up from his post as head of the Dark Blues youth academy to team up with the new boss who arrived to succeed Neil McCann last week.
Jimmy has been in the dugout for the games against Livingston and Hearts and confirmation he’s to remain their permanently brings to an end the Billy Dodds saga that’s dragged on since the new manager arrived last week.
Dodds, who was Jim’s number two at Ross County, was his first choice for the same post at Dens Park, but well documented matters relating to his departure after Dundee went into administration in 2010 made him unacceptable to many Dark Blues fans.
As well as him, it’s understood Dens legend Barry Smith and Aberdeen coach Barry Robson were also being considered.
But Jim has opted for another man he knows well and who has extensive experience in coaching and management.
The pair played together at Airdrie and during eight years with the Diamonds, Jimmy appeared in two Scottish Cup finals.
After a career that included spells at a string of clubs including Queen’s Park, Livingston and Partick Thistle, he was Airdrie’s under-19 coach for several seasons before succeeding Kenny Black as manager in 2010.
He was sacked three years later, but was quickly appointed to the SFA’s coaching staff and in 2016 was headhunted by Dundee to take charge of developing their emerging talent.
Over the last two-and-half-years he’s transformed the fortunes of the club’s underage sides and last season saw him steer the Development squad to a second place finish in their league.
Known for someone who prefers to stay out of the limelight, he has been persuaded to make the step back up to first team level and assist his old team-mate in keeping Dundee in the Premiership.
A Dundee FC statement said: “Jimmy has been with the club since joining as head of youth development in 2016. During that period he has overseen the academy while also managing the development side and helping out with the first team.
“He has experience of being a number one having been in charge of Airdrieonians for three years between 2010 and 2013 where he guided them to promotion to the 1st Division.
“Jimmy is an ex teammate of manager Jim McIntyre from his time as a player with Airdrie and has taken on the role of assistant alongside Jim since his arrival last Wednesday.
“Manager Jim McIntyre said “I’m delighted to confirm Jimmy as my assistant manager. He is a person I’ve know for a long long time.”
“What I look for in an assistant manager, Jimmy ticks all the boxes. Honest, hardworking, good on the game and has the respect of the players.”
James McPake will take up the position as interim head of academy.
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.