Raymond McKinnon will accept the challenge of managing ‘his club’, even if he guides Raith Rovers to the Premiership.
With Mixu Paatelainen’s departure from Dundee United confirmed on Wednesday, McKinnon not only tops the list of likely replacements, his seems to be the only name on it.
With Raith involved in promotion play-offs United will delay making any official approach for him until next week at least.
But when it comes, the Tele understands the life-long Arab and former player will jump at the chance to move back to Tannadice.
Ironically, the 45-year-old could have already been in the job.
His name was put forward when Jackie McNamara was sacked at the end of September.
Having only recently taken over at Raith Rovers at the time, the feeling was he was one for the future rather than then.
The work he’s done at Stark’s Park in the Championship and the fact United will be playing at that level next season has convinced the board at Tannadice now is his time.
First, though, they will have to sort out a package to move the current manager on.
As of this morning, officially Mixu remained in post.
But his future was discussed at a short meeting he attended at Tannadice yesterday and it was made clear the view is his time is up.
Discussions about a parting of the ways are ongoing and someone else is expected to be in charge when United head for what is now a meaningless fixture at Inverness on Friday night.
Significantly, while the first-team squad did not train yesterday, they were summoned to Tannadice during last night’s U/20 fixture against Hamilton.
It’s understood a meeting was held but it’s believed the manager was not present.
With cuts looming because of relegation, chairman Stephen Thompson has also met with staff from other departments of the club.
Right now, though, his priority is finalising the current manager’s departure.
His attention will then turn to appointing a third team boss in just over six months.
Right now, it looks certain that man will be Raymond McKinnon — but he’ll only arrive after Raith’s successful season has reached its climax.
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