Dave Bowman: United players cost McNamara his job

Dundee United caretaker boss Dave Bowman senses the players feel responsible for Jackie McNamara’s sacking. But he has backed them to stay strong for tomorrow’s Ladbrokes Premiership encounter against Partick Thistle.

Dave Bowman takes charge of United this weekend. Picture: SNS Group

McNamara and three coaching staff – Simon Donnelly, Darren Jackson and Craig Hinchcliffe – lost their jobs this week after United lost 2-1 to ten-man St Johnstone after leading 1-0.

United had only won four of their last 24 games but Bowman believes the players were fully behind him.

“The boys were very close,” Bowman said.

“The manager never lost the dressing room at all. I’ve seen it before, when managers have lost the dressing room, but Jackie for one definitely never did that. The players were upset with what happened.

“Ultimately it’s the players who have cost the manager his job – if they aren’t performing then it’s the manager that pays the price for it.

“The players have been great for me. They have put in a good amount of work.

“Players are resilient, although they are upset. They probably do feel responsible for what has happened.”