Dundee United owner Mark Ogren has backed embattled Tannadice sporting director Tony Asghar.
A band of disgruntled supporters staged a protest outside the club’s AGM on Tuesday morning, hanging a banner reading “Asghar Out” on the gates of the stadium.
However, Ogren told shareholders that there will be no immediate changes to the club’s staffing.
That effectively reaffirmed his support for Asghar, who has been his primary lieutenant on the ground since taking control of the club in 2018.
Similarly, head coach Liam Fox will remain at the helm ahead of the weekend’s trip to Ross County, with Ogren seeking to preach calm amid a fraught relegation battle.
There had been audible chants calling for the United boss to step down during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat against St Johnstone; a fifth successive reverse leaving the Tangerines one point adrift at the foot of the Premiership.
Protest
Around 30 angry Arabs assembled prior to the formalities of the AGM.
Discontent among United supporters has been growing since a disheartening January transfer window.
The Tangerines allowed experienced striker Tony Watt to join St Mirren on loan without replacing him on deadline day.
It left them with only 17-year-old Rory MacLeod and untested Ugandan Sadat Anaku as backup to Steven Fletcher, albeit Glenn Middleton (currently injured) can be deployed in attack.
Criticism of the recruitment team, performances on the pitch and operational matters — the Lewis Neilson saga chief among the latter — have prompted some calls for Asghar to be removed from his position.
Mirroring the message hung outside Tannadice on Tuesday, banners reading “Asghar Out” were present at recent away matches against Kilmarnock and Hearts.
AGM business
AGM formalities inside the 87 Lounge started at 11am.
Ogren, Asghar, chief executive Luigi Capuano, director of finance Derek Bond and chief operating officer Joe Rice occupied the top table, addressing shareholders.
Despite dissatisfaction and concerns among a portion of the fanbase, it was made clear that no wholesale changes are planned.
Ogren also underlined that he cannot continue to fund United from his personal wealth.
That sentiment echoes his comments in an interview in May 2022, when he stated: “Will the club become self-sufficient? Yes, it has to because I am not willing to just continue feeding it. I am having a lot of fun over here but, financially, that doesn’t make sense.”
That desire to “continue feeding it” now appears to have waned.
Ogren has ploughed more than £13 million into the Tannadice club and now intends for the club to be self-sufficient.
United recently banked a fee of around £3 million following Harry Souttar’s January switch to Leicester City, while Rory MacLeod could soon seal a six-figure transfer to Fulham.
On the pitch, the Tangerines travel to County on Saturday in a bid to kick-start their survival bid.
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