Paul Sturrock says he would relish Tannadice return

Published on Saturday 19 December 2009 20:48

DUNDEE United legend Paul Sturrock would relish a return to Tannadice if Craig Levein is appointed Scotland manager.

The 53-year-old admits he would find it difficult to turn down the opportunity to have a second spell in charge of the club he still regards as his spiritual home.

Sturrock stood down as Plymouth Argyle's manager ten days ago to make way for former England striker Paul Mariner, accepting a new post as business support manager at Home Park. It was in that capacity that he visited several SPL managers at their training grounds last week – including John Hughes, Csaba Laszlo, Gus MacPherson, Billy Reid and Jim Jefferies – as Plymouth attempt to offload players, including Scots stars David McNamee, Jim Paterson and Steven McLean in next month's transfer window.

He had arranged to speak to Levein, but their meeting was cancelled after the SFA asked United for permission to speak to their manager. It's understood that Sturrock, who still has a house in Dundee, has yet to sign the three-year contract for his new position with Plymouth and that he is still working under his agreement as manager, which expires in May.

Consequently, any approach from United wouldn't cost much in terms of compensation and chairman Stephen Thompson is unlikely to find Sturrock difficult to deal with. "I feel that I have unfinished business with United," he replied, when asked about a possible return. "I've always wanted to go back and finish what I never really started at the club."

Sturrock, who had an uneasy relationship with then chairman Jim McLean, resigned as manager at Tannadice in 2000 after just two years at the helm. "I'm still a United fan and if any offer ever came then it would get serious consideration," he said. "You can't spend 23 years of your life at a club and not feel affection for it – they were my first love."

A member of the United side which won the Scottish title, two League Cups and reached the final of the UEFA Cup, Sturrock also won 20 caps for Scotland. His managerial record includes taking St Johnstone into the top flight and guiding Plymouth to two successive promotions. He also led Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon Town to promotion. Last year he revealed that he suffered from Parkinson's disease but stressed that the illness doesn't affect his ability to work.