Finnish FA say no to United bid for Mixu Paatelainen

Published on 25/01/2013 03:44

MIXU Paatelainen last night revealed the Finland FA have turned down an approach from Dundee United to speak to him over their search for a successor to Peter Houston.

However, while “fully committed” to his current role in international football, the former Hibs manager has admitted he does miss the “excitement and adrenalin” of weekly matches and has indicated that “there will be a day” when he returns to club level.

Paatelainen, who took over the Finnish national team after leaving Kilmarnock in March 2011, is reportedly one of a number of names being considered by the Tannadice board following the revelation last week that Houston will depart at the end of the season.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill has also been linked with a return to his former club, but yesterday indicated he intended to remain with his country. And it seems that Paatelainen, who spent five years with United between 1987 and 1992 after being signed from FC Haka in his homeland, will also be ­remaining in international ­football.

Speaking from King’s Cup duty with Finland in Thailand, the 45-year-old said: “In terms of the stories linking me with Dundee United, the Finnish FA have refused permission for them to talk to me. My chairman told me what had happened and that’s it, I really can’t say any more.

“What I can say is I am enjoying working with the Finland national team and I am enjoying the development we are getting at the moment.

“We are working very hard and we have managed to develop our young team a lot, and they are starting to play very good football and are getting some positive results.

“I have a target of developing this side and getting these young ­players up to the standard of ­international football and ­hopefully qualifying for a major tournament.

“But, I must also say that I do miss the every day stuff – the training and every week having matches, and the excitement and the adrenalin that comes with it.

“So, there will be a day when hopefully I will be given the chance to manage in club football again. But, at the moment, this is where I am and I am fully committed and doing my best for the Finland national team.

“I will give my respect to the Finnish FA by working as honestly and as hard as I can to make a success of the national team.”

Finland currently sit bottom of their World Cup qualifying group, having been defeated 1-0 away to France and drawn 1-1 with Georgia at home in their only two games so far.