New Dundee head coach Steven Pressley was unveiled to the media today.
The former Hearts, Celtic, Dundee United and Scotland defender was appointed as Tony Docherty’s replacement 10 days ago.
And on Friday, the Dee faithful heard from him for the first time as Dark Blues boss.
The Courier’s Dundee FC correspondent George Cran was at the unveiling, which comes a week before the Scottish Premiership fixtures for 2025/26 are released.
We had live updates for Dark Blues fans throughout the day as a new chapter begun at the city’s oldest club.
🔁 This live blog is now finished.
4.19pm: Thank you
Given Elvis has left the building, it’s time for us to say goodbye to our subscribers.
Thanks to all the Dundee fans who joined us today.
Please enjoy our coverage from the unveiling below or go to our dedicated Dundee FC page for more on the Dark Blues where our Dee correspondent George Cran will have more on Steven Pressley and the club over the next few days.
Have a great weekend.
3.17pm: First impression
Courier Sport’s Dundee FC writer George Cran has been at the unveiling of the club’s new coach today.
He says: “Authentic was certainly the first impression on his unveiling – honest and deep-thinking, too.
“There was a seriousness about the job in hand, admitting there is ‘a lot of work’ to be done in a busy summer ahead.
“Pressley was impressive in the way he spoke. His individual approach with players will go down well.”
Read more HERE.
1.29pm: Recap on Pressley’s response to fan reaction question
This morning Steven Pressley was quizzed about the anger amongst the Dundee faithful following his appointment as head coach.
He said: “I have no real message to fans. I am aware…I understand how the business works.
“The only way to win supporters over is to win and get results.
“But I am aware there has to be a period of growth before we get success.
“Make no mistake I am aware we need to win games and we are working extra hard to do so.
“Regardless if everyone was happy with the appointment, you will be judged in the same way.
“I completely understand that.”
1.18pm: Dundee fans have their say
It’s fair to say Dark Blues supporters were angry at the appointment of Steven Pressley.
But today fans have urged their fellow Dee diehards to get behind the former Scotland defender.
@JamesHosie11 wrote on X: “Listened to the interview he did with the Coventry Sky Blue Podcast a few days ago.
“Came across really well. Seems to me that he is honest enough to admit that he jumped into management too quickly and that he made mistakes as a result.
“And that he tried to do too much, and that he has learned a lot having not been in management the last few years.”
He added: “I was very disappointed initially but he might just prove to be a very good head coach.
“Welcome to the club Steven.”
@DundeeFCshirts said: “Fully onboard the Elvis train.”
@sjs290372 wrote: “Enough of the negativity. The man is in place now, let’s get right behind him and the new team.
“Season tickets purchased. Mon the dees!”
@smithy1893 added: “Time to get behind the man and the club. All pulling in the same direction.
“Mon the Dee.”
@oneouterdotcom said: “The King is dead, long live The King.
“I was disgusted with this appointment at first. But seeing him in dark blue, I simply have to back him.
“It’s a results-based business, so let’s judge him on results. Good luck gaffer.
“I think a good season would be survival and building a team.”
12.57pm: Steven Pressley on his Dark Blues ambitions
“Our aspirations are certainly to finish top six, but success for Dundee can come in many ways.
“There are obviously the cup competitions as well that we’ll be aspiring to do well in.
“Part of the job is also to develop our own talent and bring through our own young talent.
“So, there’s a number of factors and a number of indicators for success, but ultimately for supporters it’s about winning games of football, and that will never change in football.”
12.52pm: More from Steven Pressley on Dundee FC
He told Sky Sports News: “From being in Scotland, I understand the potential of the club, the history of the club, and it’s such an exciting project.
“I’ve also seen first-hand now how they’re putting a lot of good foundations in place.
“They’re building the infrastructure, the training ground, all of those aspects.
“So it’s a club that’s certainly moving in the right direction.”
On his own qualities as a head coach and manager, he added: “I’ve proven through my time that I have the ability to connect and develop young talent.
“I’ve also proven that I can develop teams in a certain manner.
“But I’ve got a lot to prove. I’m very much aware of that. I’m not hiding from that factor.
“This [job] has given me the opportunity to try and do that.”
12.49pm: New pictures from Steven Pressley unveiling
It’s been a busy morning for the new Dundee manager, who has been meeting the media for the first time in his new role.
Mark Scates of SNS was at the unveiling for Courier Sport and these are some of the images coming out of the broadcast press conference.
12.22pm: Latest from the unveiling
The written media section of Steven Pressley’s unveiling has now concluded.
The new Dark Blues boss spoke to journalists, including Courier Sport’s George Cran, for more than half an hour.
We’ll have more from George soon.
12.13pm: Crossing the street
During an illustrious playing career that included 32 Scotland caps, league titles with both Rangers and Celtic, and the Scottish Cup with Hearts, Steven Pressley made more than a century of appearances for Dundee’s city rivals United.
And he isn’t the first former Tangerines player to sit in the Dens hot seat.
Don Mackay, Archie Knox, Gordon Wallace, Iain Munro, Jim McIntyre all starred for the Tangerines years before crossing the street in management.
11.34am: New structure at Dens
At this morning’s unveiling, both Steven Pressley and Dundee managing director John Nelms mentioned the word structure.
So let’s recap the structural changes at the club.
Days before Steven Pressley’s appointment, technical director Gordon Strachan said there would be a change of philosophy.
And the direction of travel was reaffirmed when Pressley was announced as head coach rather than manager, with former Burnley, St Mirren and New York Red Bulls supremo David Longwell hired as technical manager.
John Nelms said: “His [Longwell’s] role is specific to player development.
“He’ll be making sure from a craft knowledge point of view, from a strength and conditioning point of view, and everything in-between, that the player has everything they need and will be working extra in order to fit into our organisation.
“This is really important to us because we have so many players coming through our academies now.”
11.16am: ‘I’m not your man’
Steven Pressley discussed his managerial record with the broadcast media earlier on.
His CV includes spells in the hot seat at Falkirk, Coventry City, Fleetwood Town, Pafos and Carlisle United and he spent the past four years at Brentford as head of individual player development.
He said: “I think it is very much dependent on what lens you’re looking through.
“If you’re a Dundee supporter and you’re looking for a manager with a history of producing titles and winning honours then, I’m not your man.
“I’m perfectly honest, I’m not your man. I’ve not demonstrated that yet.
“I hope I can demonstrate that moving forward, but my career today doesn’t suggest that.
“But certainly, from a development perspective, certainly from creating a style of playing and a way a team performs, I’ve demonstrated that over the course.
“And I’d like to think that the four or five years that I’ve had out of football [management], not just education within Brentford as a club, but I’ve also been working on my university degree, all of those in the mix, I hope brings a different type of leadership than I gave before.
“And, you know, hopefully with that leadership, we can bring some form of success.”
11.07am: What next?
The broadcast section of Steven Pressley’s Dundee unveiling has now finished.
He will now speak to members of the written press, including our Dee writer George Cran, with this part of the media under embargo until later tonight.
We will have more from George soon on what he made of Pressley’s first words as Dark Blues head coach.
Courier Sport’s Dundee United correspondent Alan Temple had several dealings with the former Scotland international in a previous role at Capital City Press and he wrote on X: “I used to do his pressers at Falkirk and he’s always been up for a blether.
“A good man and I think he’ll surprise many.”
10.53am: Steven Pressley on structure, success and Strachan
The new Dundee FC head coach has been speaking to the media – including Courier Sport’s Dark Blues correspondent George Cran – at Gardyne.
He said: “The new structure [at Dundee] is aligned with my style of management.
“It’s a really historical club with great times of the past.
“When I accepted the job, I spoke to some of my mentors like Archie Knox and Alex Smith.
“We aspire to bring back good times again.”
The former Falkirk and Coventry City manager then spoke about his relationship with Dee technical director Gordon Strachan, who signed him for Celtic during his playing days.
He said: “From my perspective, that was a big influence on me coming here.
“Relationships are crucial and we are aligned on most things, that is really important.
“For myself, the chance to tap into Gordon’s knowledge to help and support me will be vital.”
What does success at Dundee look like?
He said: “The club has aspirations to be in the top six and I am aware of that.
“We spoke about the long-term growth of the football club.
“I came from an environment at Brentford where stability is key and they have seen enormous growth.
“They [Dundee] have had a lot of managers over the past few years and we have to change that.”
10.42am: Any message to Dundee FC support?
Steven Pressley has addressed some key issues straight away.
On winning over the fans angered by his appointment, he said: “I have no real message to fans. I am aware…I understand how the business works.
“The only way to win supporters over is to win and get results.
“But I am aware there has to be a period of growth before we get success.
“Make no mistake I am aware we need to win games and we are working extra hard to do so.
“Regardless if everyone was happy with the appointment, you will be judged in the same way.
“I completely understand that.”
10.37am: The arrival
We didn’t want to do it, but it feels daft not to – Elvis is in the building.
He’s back in Scotland after celebrating his silver wedding anniversary in Vietnam and he’s alongside Dundee managing director John Nelms.
Steven Pressley says: “I have been out of management now five years. I had a period of good learning and reflection but unfortunately you never lose that itch.
“I wasn’t sure I’d go back into management but when this opportunity arose…”
Before Pressley’s introduction, Nelms said: “Steven has travelled over 35 hours to get back here and we are presenting Steven as our new head coach.
“I’m looking forward to working with Steven and the new structure in place.”
10.26am: Press pack waits to speak to Steven Pressley
The Courier’s George Cran is at Gardyne alongside the assembled broadcast media as the new Dundee head coach prepares to speak publicly for the first time in his new role.
He is expected to appear in the next few minutes.
10.08am: Dundee chief on Pressley and 2025/26
Dark Blues managing director John Nelms could not have been clearer when he was asked what the club’s ambitions for the new season under Steven Pressley were.
He said: “It’s always top six. Top six is what we budget for and is always our goal, we always strive to be in the top six and always will.
“It’s tougher to do when you’re walking the development like, we were one of the youngest teams in the league last year, but that’s always the goal.
“Getting into Europe will be a step beyond that and that’s where we believe Dundee should be.”
9.35am: What does Steven Pressley need in his Dundee FC squad?
Defensive improvements are a must after last season’s disastrous campaign at the back, as is some more physicality in the middle of the park.
Last week, George Cran wrote: “Dundee have a star striker in their squad in Simon Murray but he needs help.
“Murray is the only frontman currently on the books, he was the only No 9 fit and available for chunks of last season, too.
“He still has plenty of gas left in the tank but he’s also a year older.
“Dundee need to find a foil for Murray. Whether that is a striker who drops deep or a forward who can play multiple attacking positions.”
Mo Sylla and Antonio Portales have played their last games for Dundee, who secured top-flight status on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign.
But the Dark Blues remain locked in contract talks with captain Joe Shaughnessy, Scott Tiffoney and Josh Mulligan, linked with several clubs north and south of the border.
The signings of midfielder Paul Digby and winger turned full-back Drey Wright were completed on Thursday.
8.35am: Today’s unveiling
A quick reminder for those just joining us – new Dundee boss Steven Pressley is expected to meet the broadcast media at Gardyne around 10.30am before meeting the written press shortly afterwards.
Our Dark Blues correspondent George Cran will be there to bring Courier Sport subscribers live updates.
8.30am: Wilkie praise for Pressley
Former Dundee and United star Lee Wilkie – a Courier Sport columnist – shared a Scotland dressing room with Steven Pressley.
He says: “He was 100% a leader of men; one of those character you could just tell would get into management.
“He had that aura about him back then – and he still has it now.
“That’s why I’ve got no doubts at all about him being able to win the respect of his squad at Dundee.
“That’s just something he’s always been able to do.”
Following the fan anger, Wilkie said: “I think people are judging him far too quickly and extremely harshly.”
7.53am: Why Dundee appointed Steven Pressley
Player development, through the lens of player trading, has been cited as the key to the June 2 appointment.
George Cran writes: “Steven Pressley was a leader as a player and is one of the most experienced managers of the candidates looked at, even if his last job ended six years ago.
“His link to Dens technical director Gordon Strachan [who signed him for Celtic] should be noted.
“However, it is his more recent time behind the scenes at Brentford that set him apart.
“At the Premier League outfit, Pressley was head of individual development.
“That final word – development – has been repeated time and again in the short time since the announcement.”
Our Dark Blues correspondent added: “Dundee’s new philosophy is not only about winning the next game but creating better footballers who can then be sold on.
“Whether that is using their own academy, which has been a great success in recent seasons, or through buying up young players from elsewhere.
“At Brentford, Pressley’s specific job was to monitor the development of the Premier League club’s high potential players, working closely with individual stars to find out what they needed to succeed.”
7.30am: Recap of fan reaction to Steven Pressley appointment
There’s no sugar-coating it – the decision by Dundee chief John Nelms to appoint Steven Pressley was not a popular one.
The names linked to the post included Shaun Maloney, Charlie Adam, Temuri Ketsbaia, Scott Brown and David Healy.
Maloney, for a spell, appeared to be the frontrunner.
But the news that Pressley would be the new Dark Blues boss angered supporters.
@DensParkChoir wrote on X: “Happy to eat my words if I have to.
“F***ing honking appointment from Dundee.”
@Caledonia1893 said: “Is this for real? Has the official account been hacked?”
Winning over the Dundee faithful could prove a major challenge for the new Dee gaffer.
7am: Steven Pressley Dundee FC unveiling
The new Dee boss is expected to speak to broadcast journalists at the club’s Gardyne training base around 10.30am, meeting the written press shortly afterwards.
Courier Sport’s George Cran thinks there are five key questions supporters will want answered today:
- Why did Steven Pressley want to become a head coach again after six years?
- How can he make this Dundee side successful?
- What kind of team will fans see at Dens Park this season?
- Will he have a say in transfer business?
- What is success for Dundee in 2025/26?
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