Dundee: Defeat costs Scott his job

Published on Saturday 20 March 2010 22:03

DUNDEE last night sacked manager Jocky Scott – despite being three points clear at the top of the First Division.

And former Dundee United manager Ian McCall, now with Partick Thistle, is the front-runner to succeed him, with former Hibs manager Mixu Paatelainen also in the frame.

Scott, 62, was relieved of his duties at a meeting with club benefactor Calum Melville only hours after his team slumped 3-0 to relegation strugglers Airdrie United.

Scott, who returned to the club in October 2008 and saved them from the threat of relegation to the Second Division, was tasked with winning promotion back to the SPL after Melville pumped cash into the team last summer.

For most of the season the Dark Blues have been on course for the title and even opened up an 11-point gap at one stage but a recent wobble has seen them lose matches to Ross County, Raith Rovers and Airdrie, twice, in recent months.

They have won only three times in the last 11 matches and have been regularly barracked by their own increasingly disgruntled supporters.

Scott had two previous spells as the club's boss, taking over in 1986 and then, ironically, again in 1998 when John McCormack was sacked while leading the First Division.

Former Aberdeen boss Scott had been crowned Manager of the Month three times this season and was publicly backed by Melville when he first arrived at the club ten months ago.

But with the financial consequences of failing to win promotion likely to be severe, the Dens board felt they had to act, with Melville driving from his Aberdeen home last night to break the news to Scott.

McCall is understood to be Dundee's preferred candidate for the job, despite having managed their city neighbours between 2003-2005, and it is likely the club will contact Partick today to make their interest known.

If they fail to secure McCall it is believed Dundee will turn to Paatelainen who has been out of work since parting company with Hibs at the end of last season. The Finn, who played for Dundee United, previously managed Cowdenbeath, and TPS of Finland.