Sacked Paul Hartley insists he'd have kept Dundee up

Paul Hartley departing Dens Park (Kim Cessford / DC Thomson)

SACKED Dundee boss Paul Hartley insists he would have taken the Taysiders away from Ladbrokes Premiership uncertainty.

The Dens Park club relieved the former Celtic and Scotland midfielder from his duties on Monday lunchtime after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Hamilton left them in the relegation play-off spot, five points ahead of Inverness.

The Dark Blues have lost seven in a row with five post-split fixtures remaining, the first of which is against Motherwell on Saturday week.

Hartley released a statement later which read: “I’m disappointed not to have been given the chance to see out the remainder of the season because I firmly believe we would have retained our SPFL Premiership status.

“I was confident we would have moved up the league table as there are some excellent players in the dressing-room, led by captain Darren O’Dea.

“However, I respect the decision made by the Dundee FC board and would like to wish everyone success in the final five games of the campaign.

“I’m very proud of what I achieved at Dundee since I was appointed manager in February 2014.

“We won promotion to the SPFL top flight and we finished in the top six. There is no doubt I’m leaving the club in a far stronger position now from when I first joined.

“I want to thank all my backroom staff, who have been a pleasure to work with and gave me unswerving support, and also thank all the people who work at the club behind the scenes.

“I’ve met a lot of good people over the years at Dens Park and leave with a lot of happy memories.

“Finally, I wish the club well in the future and look forward to my next challenge in management.”

The club said in a statement that the board of directors felt a change in manager was needed “ahead of five vital matches between now and the end of the season”.

Managing director John Nelms told the club’s official website: “Unfortunately, the business we are in, sometimes change is necessary to achieve the goals we have set. I think somebody in the near future is going to get a good hard-working manager.”