Dundee United have parted company with manager Mixu Paatelainen.
The Tangerines moved swiftly to make the change, with the Finn surviving less than a day in the job after leading the club to relegation at Dens Park last night.
That 2-1 defeat to city rivals Dundee finally sealed their fate but, in truth, they had looked likely to drop into the Championship for all of Paatelainen’s time in charge.
Raith Rovers boss Ray McKinnon – a former United player – is now favourite to take over as manager, with an official approach for him expected once the Kirkcaldy club’s play-off fate has been decided.
Rovers face Hibs at home in the first leg of their clash on Wednesday night and having their manager wanted by his old club will be extremely unwelcome at Stark’s Park.
As for Paatelainen, his position at United had become untenable and it was no surprise that the axe fell.
He was in an angry mood when he turned up at Tannadice for showdown talks and it didn’t get any better for him when told the news by chairman Stephen Thompson.
The now former boss left the stadium at 2pm, with Thompson not following suit until after 5pm.
Paatelainen may have led United to the William Hill Scottish Cup semi-finals, where they lost on penalties to Hibs, but the record that really mattered – the one in the league – was woeful.
Taking charge of the team for the first time against Hearts on October 18, his reign started as it would go on – with a disappointing defeat.
He would see his side win only five Premiership matches out of 23, culminating in the humiliating loss to the Dark Blues that would bring the curtain down on his tenure.
