Ray McKinnon will finally be named as Dundee United’s new manager today after agreeing a three-year deal.
In a dramatic move last night, the former Tangerines’ midfielder resigned as boss of Raith Rovers, thus signalling a return to Tannadice.
From the very start, McKinnon has been the leading contender to take over from the sacked Mixu Paatelainen in the United hotseat.
Indeed, the Tangerines were given permission by Rovers to make an approach to their manager as far back as Sunday night.
However, as days of intensive talks between McKinnon and Tannadice chairman Stephen Thompson went by without agreement, concerns were raised that the ex-Lochee United and Brechin City gaffer might be having second thoughts.
Other names began to be linked with the vacancy, including Celtic’s assistant John Collins and former Hearts coach Csaba Laszlo.
There was even speculation that the size of United’s playing budget for next season was a sticking point, although if that were the case it has now obviously been resolved to McKinnon’s satisfaction.
He now faces the considerable challenge of getting the relegated Tannadice side back up from the Championship to the Premiership at the first time of asking following a traumatic season.
That tough task begins in earnest next week, with caretaker Gordon Young taking the team for the final match of their disastrous season at Kilmarnock on Saturday while McKinnon gets his feet under the desk.
As for Raith, they are now faced with the challenge of replacing a popular and respected coach who led them into the Championship promotion play-offs, where they lost narrowly to Hibs on Saturday.
Commenting on the news of McKinnon’s resignation, Rovers chief executive Eric Drysdale said: “Everyone at the club is naturally very disappointed that Ray has reached this decision, and we certainly did everything in our power, and then more, to try to retain his services but he leaves Raith Rovers with thanks and best wishes for the future.
“Ray has built a terrific squad of players with tremendous team spirit, and that will be his legacy.”
