Gordon Chisholm becomes the first person to manage both Dundee clubs as the former United boss takes charge at Dens Park following Jocky Scott’s sacking.
Chisholm, who will be assisted by former Dark Blues and Tangerines striker Billy Dodds, takes the place of Jocky Scott, who was dismissed on Saturday night.
Dundee benefactor Calum Melville’s mantra since he began investing in the club has been “second is nowhere” — but even first spot in the division one table wasn’t good enough to save Scott, who was told he was going by Melville in the wake of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Airdrie United.
That result raised serious doubts over the Dark Blues’ ability to stay ahead of the chasing pack but they still sit three points clear of both Inverness Caley Thistle and Dunfermline, while fourth-placed Ross County will have to win both their games in hand to catch them.
The task of leading Dundee over the line now falls to Chisholm and he will have an awkward first match in charge tomorrow against Queen of the South, the club he quit to take the job.
He has left the Doonhamers in fifth spot in the division following their own 3-0 hammering, from Ayr United, at the weekend.
Partick Thistle manager Ian McCall, another ex-United gaffer, was sounded out for the post but it is understood the Jags demanded around £200,000 compensation for their boss and that killed off any hopes he had of landing the job.
The Dens board then turned to former player Chisholm, who captained Dundee to promotion in 1992, and he and Dodds have agreed two-year deals beyond the end of the season, with the number two scaling back his role as a media pundit.
“When the chance came up it was something Doddsy and I were desperate to do so we are delighted it went through,” said Chisholm.
“I had a lot of happy years here as a player and won the league (first division) as captain so I have a draw to this club.
“Indeed, we both have history here, this is a big club moving in the right direction and there are so many positives about it.
“I suppose it is strange taking over a club at the top of a league.
“However, it is still a massive challenge and there is pressure here.
“The run-in is going to be very hard, no doubt about that. It is up to us to get things right over the next six weeks.
“The team have had one or two bad results recently and confidence is maybe a bit low.
“I have seen Dundee a few times recently and it has been a bit nervy. So it up to us to shake that off and get on with the job in hand.
“I will be getting the players together in the morning for a chat about everything. We will try to give them a lift.
“We are out in front, ahead of the pack and that is the position everyone wants to be in.
“We have a great squad here, a lot of quality players and it is an exciting challenge to be working with them.”
Chisholm stressed that the Dundee fans have a huge role to play in the weeks ahead and urged them to get right behind the players.
“The supporters have to recognise that we are ahead but a bit of patience is needed at times,” he added.
“Everyone needs to pull together. Me, Billy, the players, the board and the fans, we all have a part to play in helping us win the league.”
As for his first test, he admitted it will be an odd experience.
“We are playing Queen of the South on Tuesday and football throws these things up from time to time,” he said.
“I would like to thank Queens, the chairman (David Rae) and the fans for the support they gave me.
“I had three great years there, we got to a cup final and played in Europe, so it was a great |experience.
“But I feel ready for a new challenge. I am desperate to manage in the SPL again. It won’t be easy but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.”
Chairman Bob Brannan, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome his new management team to Dens.
“It is a great pleasure to announce, following the sad leaving of Jocky Scott yesterday, that we have been fortunate enough to secure the services of Gordon Chisholm as the new manager of Dundee FC, as well as Billy Dodds as his assistant,” said Brannan.
“I am very grateful to the Queen of the South chairman David Rae for granting us permission to talk with the guys. He said he didn’t want to stand in their way if it was their choice to move to Dundee.”
“The run-in is going to be very hard, no doubt about that. It is up to us to get things right over the next six weeks.
“The team have had one or two bad results recently and confidence is maybe a bit low.
“I have seen Dundee a few times recently and it has been a bit nervy. So it up to us to shake that off and get on with the job in hand.
“I will be getting the players together in the morning for a chat about everything. We will try to give them a lift.
“We are out in front, ahead of the pack and that is the position everyone wants to be in.
“We have a great squad here, a lot of quality players and it is an exciting challenge to be working with them.”
Chisholm stressed that the Dundee fans have a huge role to play in the weeks ahead and urged them to get right behind the players.
“The supporters have to recognise that we are ahead but a bit of patience is needed at times,” he added.
“Everyone needs to pull together. Me, Billy, the players, the board and the fans, we all have a part to play in helping us win the league.”
As for his first test, he admitted it will be an odd experience.
“We are playing Queen of the South on Tuesday and football throws these things up from time to time,” he said.
“I would like to thank Queens, the chairman (David Rae) and the fans for the support they gave me.
“I had three great years there, we got to a cup final and played in Europe, so it was a great |experience.
“But I feel ready for a new challenge. I am desperate to manage in the SPL again. It won’t be easy but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.”
Chairman Bob Brannan, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome his new management team to Dens.
“It is a great pleasure to announce, following the sad leaving of Jocky Scott yesterday, that we have been fortunate enough to secure the services of Gordon Chisholm as the new manager of Dundee FC, as well as Billy Dodds as his assistant,” said Brannan.
“I am very grateful to the Queen of the South chairman David Rae for granting us permission to talk with the guys. He said he didn’t want to stand in their way if it was their choice to move to Dundee.”
“The run-in is going to be very hard, no doubt about that. It is up to us to get things right over the next six weeks.
“The team have had one or two bad results recently and confidence is maybe a bit low.
“I have seen Dundee a few times recently and it has been a bit nervy. So it up to us to shake that off and get on with the job in hand.
“I will be getting the players together in the morning for a chat about everything. We will try to give them a lift.
“We are out in front, ahead of the pack and that is the position everyone wants to be in.
“We have a great squad here, a lot of quality players and it is an exciting challenge to be working with them.”
Chisholm stressed that the Dundee fans have a huge role to play in the weeks ahead and urged them to get right behind the players.
“The supporters have to recognise that we are ahead but a bit of patience is needed at times,” he added.
“Everyone needs to pull together. Me, Billy, the players, the board and the fans, we all have a part to play in helping us win the league.”
As for his first test, he admitted it will be an odd experience.
“We are playing Queen of the South on Tuesday and football throws these things up from time to time,” he said.
“I would like to thank Queens, the chairman (David Rae) and the fans for the support they gave me.
“I had three great years there, we got to a cup final and played in Europe, so it was a great |experience.
“But I feel ready for a new challenge. I am desperate to manage in the SPL again. It won’t be easy but it is a challenge we are looking forward to.”
Chairman Bob Brannan, meanwhile, was delighted to welcome his new management team to Dens.
“It is a great pleasure to announce, following the sad leaving of Jocky Scott yesterday, that we have been fortunate enough to secure the services of Gordon Chisholm as the new manager of Dundee FC, as well as Billy Dodds as his assistant,” said Brannan.
“I am very grateful to the Queen of the South chairman David Rae for granting us permission to talk with the guys. He said he didn’t want to stand in their way if it was their choice to move to Dundee.”