Dundee manager John Brown given two-year deal

John Brown: New two-year deal at Dundee. Picture: SNS

Brown took over at the Dens Park helm from Barry Smith in February and has done an excellent job by losing just once in seven SPL games to keep

Dundee fighting for SPL survival, although they could be relegated if they lose today’s home clash with Hearts.

The former Dundee and Rangers defender earned a reputation for being an aggressive player during his glittering career but insists there is another side to him which is making him a success in the dugout.

Brown, who arrived at Dens Park amid a storm of criticism from some sections of fans, has been rewarded for his efforts with a two-year deal after initially taking charge on an interim basis. He said: “In my whole life, I’ve always called it as I see it. I have probably upset a lot of people and maybe should have been a bit more conservative at times. But if people don’t like it and they want to have a grudge against it, whether it’s ex-players or whatever, then so be it.

“Everyone just thinks that I’m all about bawling and shouting because I was a physical player. But I wouldn’t have played all those years with Dundee and Rangers by just being a physical player who sorts someone out.

“It’s through the player’s efforts that I am sitting here today and I’m working with them to try and get the best out of them. Bawling and shouting is not going to be the answer as a manager. With younger kids, you have to put an arm round them sometimes and talk to them. You’ll find that in the dressing room after games there are no raised voices.

“Of course, I’ve got to organise them from the sideline but I think they’re enjoying a bit of freedom now. I’ve not said to them don’t try things in the last third because I want them to make thing happen. It doesn’t bother me really how other people see me anyway because my mum and dad know I’m a loveable guy.”

Brown takes his side into Saturday’s clash with Hearts knowing they must win and rely on Hibs beating St Mirren to keep their dogfight going that bit longer. And the 51-year-old is thrilled to have his future settled so that his players can focus fully on events on the park in their tense relegation run-in.

Brown said: “I’m very proud to be manager of Dundee and now I just get on with the football which is the most important thing. It’s a massive game against Hearts. The priority is to win this game and then we’ll see what happens elsewhere.

“Even before I came in most people had Dundee down. But we’ve managed to keep it going and if we can keep it going for another week then great.”

Brown admits he feared he wouldn’t get back into the game following his departure from Clyde back in 2009 but the fall-out from that experience helped mellow him. He said: “You always wonder but I’ve got a grandson of nine months. I’ve enjoyed taking him out and letting my daughter get to work.

“I hardly saw my kids throughout my career so to see my grandson grow up has been great. That has certainly changed my outlook on certain things.”

Dundee chief executive Scot Gardiner admits appointing Brown was the easy thing to do on the back of their recent revival. Gardiner said: “It was a no-brainer. John has done an amazing job since he took over.”