Dundee United are on the hunt for a new manager for a third successive year.
Fresh from guiding the Tangerines back to Europe in his maiden campaign as United boss, Tam Courts left the club by mutual consent on Tuesday afternoon.
Jack Ross is the man Tannadice chiefs have identified to take his place in the dugout, while Courts is weighing up options in England and with Budapest Honved.
Here, Courier Sport looks at the highs and lows from Courts sole, eventful season in charge of the Terrors.
Courts takes the top job
Courts’ ascension to the Tannadice hot-seat was an undoubted high for the ambitious coach; a massive step up from his position as head of tactical performance at United. A calculated gamble from the club.
However, it was no without its challenges.
His appointment was met with doubt, cynicism and, in some quarters, seethe.
Courts, whose previous experience as a manager came in the South of Scotland League with Kelty Hearts, was forced to navigate a gauntlet of publicity and online barbs.
The proof, ultimately, would be in the pudding.
Dundee United 1-0 Rangers
Fresh from a meek, impotent 2-0 defeat in their Premiership opener at Aberdeen, United needed a performance against the reigning champions of Scotland.
🤩 What a finish. What a performance by Our Academy’s very own Jamie Robson!#UnitedTogether #OurAcademypic.twitter.com/XTwe9oZ9Gh
— Our Academy (@DUFCAcademy) August 7, 2021
No small task.
Rangers were 40 games unbeaten in the league when they arrived at Tannadice.
What followed was a resolute, combative, stirring 1-0 victory. Jamie Robson notched the only goal of the game in the splitting sunshine, sending the 4,600 supporters to delirium.
Although plenty of Courts-sceptics remained — and would remain until the day he walked away from the club — this result underlined his ability as a tactician and motivator, while providing the catalyst to a fine start to the season.
Easter Road spectacle
Perhaps United’s most impressive showing under Courts came against Hibernian. Indeed, against the man who is likely to replace him at United, Ross.
The visitors were composed, well-drilled and devastating on the counter-attack. Goals from Nicky Clark, Kieran Freeman and Ryan Edwards secured a 3-0 win in front of a raucous, colourful away support.
Latterly, United’s campaign would be characterised by stoic defensive showings, grinding out results and narrowly getting the job done when it mattered (despite finishing fourth, they would end the season with a goal difference of -7).
However, on their day, Courts’ charges could play.
Derby day rollercoasters
Following a year of soulless, lamentable football in empty stadiums, United’s 1-0 victory over Dundee was an occasion to relish.
As Ian Harkes rattled home the only goal of the game in September, Tannadice erupted and Courts had his first win over the Dee — always a notable achievement for any Tangerines gaffer.
It would prove to be his only one.
The sides played out a dire 0-0 draw in February, while United should have run up a comfortable triumph at Tannadice in April.
Instead, they threw away a 2-0 lead in the space of two minutes to draw 2-2 with the dark Blues; a share of the spoils which felt like a defeat.
Questions asked
Courts’ toughest spell as United boss came during a winter of discontent.
The Tannadice side endured eight defeats in 10 fixtures. They scored just six goals in that period.
Jeando Fuchs’ form was patchy (he would leave for Peterborough in January), Dylan Levitt struggled for fitness, Lawrence Shankland had been sold.
Selection options were thin on the ground; attacking inspiration was non-existent.
It is to Courts’ credit that he lifted United out of that malaise, particularly given he would be without the likes of Calum Butcher, Max Biamou, Ian Harkes, Peter Pawlett and Marc McNulty as the campaign progressed.
Cup disappointments
Taking the Tangerines back to Hampden will be among Ross’ key aims, should he succeed Courts, particularly after a disappointing campaign in the cups.
While Ross’ record in finals, whether north or south of the border, is disappointing — lets not sugar-coat that — his ability to actually reach showpiece occasions should be a source of optimism.
Ironically, it was Ross’ Hibs that dumped United out of the Premier Sports Cup last term, claiming a 3-1 win at Tannadice despite the hosts dominating large swathes of the contest. Courts’ men paid the price for a sloppy, porous start.
United would exit the Scottish Cup at the hands of Celtic. No shame in that, in theory. However, the 3-0 home reverse was rather toothless and, particularly compared to the 1-1 draw between the sides on May 11, not a good reflection on the Terrors’ capabilities.
Results when it mattered
Did United benefit from a weak Premiership? Undoubtedly. Did the dire campaigns endured by Hibs and Aberdeen aid their push for fourth? Certainly.
However, the bottom line is that, for all their stodgy football and mixed results from winter onwards, the Terrors got the job done when it mattered.
⌛️ 𝟗𝟎+𝟔…
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 🧡@SparkyMcNulty | #UnitedTogether pic.twitter.com/WgGKJ0ehCb
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) March 19, 2022
Victories over Motherwell in February and April, a breathless, thrilling 2-1 triumph at St Mirren — secured courtesy of a 96th-minute Marc McNulty goal. Key draws against Celtic, Rangers and Hearts. All were pivotal wins when the pressure was on.
An unforgettable Highland fling
Amid a sea of Tangerine, beach balls and sombreros, Courts posed for selfies with giddy United fans ahead of their clash with Ross County. Quite the turnaround from the mixed reaction to his appointment.
European football was already assured prior to United’s final Premiership match of the season, however they had to better Motherwell’s result at Celtic Park (they would lose 6-0) to seal fourth spot.
A dramatic Nicky Clark winner secured a 2-1 triumph. Cue bedlam. Flares, pitch invasions; a spontaneous outburst of joy and catharsis. A truly soaring high to conclude the campaign.
Little did anyone know that unforgettable afternoon in the Highlands would be Courts’ final match.
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