Dundee United confirm manager Jackie McNamara has left the club
Tuesday 29 September 2015 12:36, UK
Dundee United have confirmed manager Jackie McNamara has left his post by mutual consent with immediate effect.
Sky Sports News HQ reported on Saturday in the wake of a 2-1 defeat to St Johnstone that McNamara was on his way out at Tannadice.
A poor start to the season means United lie second-bottom of the Scottish Premiership with just five points from nine games and former Celtic midfielder McNamara's exit was confirmed by the club on Monday night.
"Dundee United Football Club and Jackie McNamara have mutually agreed the departure of McNamara as first team manager with immediate effect," United said on their official website.
"Following widely reported talks between the Chairman and McNamara, the club and McNamara agreed that a change was required to improve the results of the first team, with immediate change being required following the club's start to the season.
"Simon Donnelly, Darren Jackson and Craig Hinchliffe have also left the club."
Chairman Stephen Thompson said in a statement: "I'd like to personally thank Jackie McNamara for his efforts during his tenure which saw him become the longest serving manager in the league.
"Everyone at the club - from the board to the coaching staff, from the players to the fans - knows our recent run of results and current position in the league isn't good enough and we all want the club back to where it should be, challenging for silverware and European qualification.
"We've finished in the top six for eight consecutive seasons and reached four cup finals in that time, against a backdrop of reducing the club's debt significantly. Although this has not been easy, it's the standard we have set here at United.
"We have a strategy to run the club in a financially sustainable way while achieving real progress on the pitch and these things are not mutually exclusive. This is a big club with a large squad and playing budget, so we won't be short of interest from top managers within the game.
"We have one of the most exciting young squads in British football and a lot to be upbeat about. The next manager will be taking on a talented bunch of players at an exciting time for the football club."
