Paul Hartley favourite to land Dundee job.........

[ian1964 10,720]

..............after Dark Blues part company with John Brown

4 Feb 2014 07:56

 

THE Dens Park men yesterday agreed a pay-off with Brown to end his 12-month spell in charge - and Hartley is expected to be unveiled as the new manager within the next 48 hours.

 

 

 

DUNDEE last night parted company with John Brown to pave the way for Paul Hartley to make a quickfire return to management.

 

The Dark Blues agreed a pay-off with the Rangers legend after Dundee picked up just one point from their last three games and lost their place at the top of the Championship table.

 

And former Alloa boss Hartley is favourite to be unveiled as their new gaffer within 48 hours.

 

Bomber’s reign comes to an end after a 1-1 weekend draw with Wasps which had fans demanding a change and the Dundee board insist they will act swiftly to fill the post with promotion to the Premiership their

overwhelming priority.

 

A club statement said: “Dundee and manager John Brown have announced they are to part company by mutual agreement.

 

“The club agreed with John’s expressed view that after recent results this is the best way forward.

 

“The club expects to move quickly to appoint a new manager to continue the good work done by the management and players and to get us over the line as champions.”

 

If Hartley is to land the hotseat his first task will be to arrest the club’s slump against promotion rivals Hamilton in a top-of-table clash this Saturday.

 

The former Celtic star is free to take the reins having handed in his notice as boss of Alloa last month after enjoying a remarkable first spell in management where he led the Wasps to back-to-back promotions.

 

The Dens Park men trail league leaders Falkirk on goal difference and defender Matt Lockwood insists Brown has paid the price for the club’s dream to get back to the top flight.

 

The Englishman said: “It’s always sad to see someone lose their job and it just goes to show how ruthless this game can be.

 

“At the end of the day we’re still joint top of the league on goal difference and the board of directors have decided there has to be a change.

 

“It may look silly on the face of it but the bottom line is the club are desperate to get back in the top flight.

 

“That was the objective before a ball was kicked this season and it’s obviously not going to change. That’s the over-riding dream here.

 

“There is pressure on everyone at the club because the rewards for getting promotion are massive, which is reflected in what has happened.”

 

Lockwood admits the current crop of players must also accept a share of the blame for Brown’s exit.

 

He said: “As a squad we have to look at ourselves.

 

“The buck always stops with the manager but we too have to look at the things that we might have done better.

 

“We know results haven’t been great recently so we have to hold our hands up on that front.

 

“However, we’re still in a decent position at the top of the table.”

 

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-hartley-favourite-land-dundee-3110031

[Gribz 829]

John Brown shouldn't be allowed near a football team again.

[calscot 0]

If the club are top equal on points, what is the problem? He's done better than a lot of Dundee managers.

 

I have no idea if he's a good manager or not.

[Gribz 829]

He quite possibly is a good coach and looking at Dundee's position he seems to have done a good job but then you have to ask why has he moved on? He must be a Chairmans worst nightmare.

[Super_Ally 0]

Know nothing about the situation but sacked whilst joint top does seem odd.

 

Ps. Hartley has obviously done a good job but their recent run was something like 8 defeats on the spin. Also strong rumours in Alloa (was just up there visiting family) that he had a fight with a young or youth team player that largely led to him walking away. May all be BS but wouldnt be what I would be looking for in a manager if a Dundee fan.