Dundee United end speculation over Ray McKinnon’s future with statement

DUNDEE UNITED have announced that they’ve parted company with manager Ray McKinnon.

A statement on the club’s website thanked the former Tannadice boss for his services, saying that the club had ‘mutually agreed’ his departure with immediate effect.

Speaking to dundeeunitedfc.co.uk today, McKinnon said: “It is disappointing that my time as manager of United has come to an end.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to both play for and then manage my hometown club that I have supported all my life.

“I would like to thank the fans for their support over my time in charge. Also, I’d like to thank everyone at Dundee United for their efforts during my tenure.

“I wish the club every success moving forward and I’m certain they will be back where they belong shortly.”

The former United and Aberdeen midfielder was expected to lose his job in the wake of back-to-back defeats in the Scottish Championship.

The 47-year-old, who narrowly missed out on guiding his side into the Premiership through last season’s play-offs, is understood to have been told by the board his tenure was over after losing 2-0 at home to Inverness.

United sit fourth in the Championship after ten games, of which they’ve lost three.

They are five points behind leaders St Mirren.

In his final post-match conference, he took responsibility for the “worst Dundee United performance” in his time at the club.

When asked if he expected to still be in the job for their clash with Dumbarton next Saturday, McKinnon said: “I’d like to think so but that’s somebody else’s decision.”

He added: “I’m very, very, very disappointed and frustrated because we’re so much better than that.

“Before we lose the goal we have a couple of chances and then we shoot ourselves in the foot.

“When we did that I didn’t then see the reaction I wanted from my players.

“I’m extremely disappointed.

“I understand the supporters’ frustration — I’m as frustrated as them.

“We all want the same thing and they were right to boo — that was the worst Dundee United performance in my tenure at the club.

“It would unfair of me to single anything out but we’re all in this together.

“I take responsibility for that performance as much as the players. We’re not hiding from it.”