After hiring two former players as Dundee United manager and overlooking another during this recruitment process, chairman Stephen Thompson insisted that breaking that link was not a consideration when he appointed Csaba Laszlo.
The former Hearts boss follows Mixu Paatelainen and Ray McKinnon into the Tannadice dug-out, with Jim McIntyre among those who missed out.
“That didn’t have any relevance,” said Thompson.
“We wanted the right man for the job and he had the right qualifications.
“We looked at his track record, what he has done at other clubs, man-management and tactician. We spent a long time together, it was a long day. I was tired after spending that time with him.
“He has a lot of qualities, the media love him after his previous experience in Scotland, and he knows what he is doing.”
Thompson, who was also linked with the likes of John Hughes and Alan Stubbs, added: “We wanted to make sure we got the right appointment. Laurie (Ellis) won the first game which took the pressure off. It was such an important appointment and we deliberately took our time.”
United lost about £1.5million in their relegation season and flagged up the need to shave a similar amount off their budget for this season, before signing experienced players such as Scott McDonald, James Keatings, Paul Quinn, Fraser Fyvie and Tam Scobbie.
And Thompson admitted restoring their Premiership status is vital.
“That’s our target and where we want to be as a club,” he said. “Other clubs will have their say in that, I’m sure they will, but he has a good platform to build from, equal top of the league.
“It’s what the club is about, it’s where we want to be.
“This is our second season in the Championship. We see ourselves as a Premiership club but you have to earn the right to be there. It’s important for this club to be promoted, of course it is.”
