Dundee United appoint Jack Ross as manager, succeeding Tam Courts

Dundee United have announced the appointment of Jack Ross as the club’s head coach.

Ross has joined the club as the successor to Tam Courts, who left Tannadice by mutual agreement earlier this month and later joined Hungarian side Budapest Honved.

The 46-year-old takes charge at United six months after he was sacked by Hibs and is tasked with continuing the improvement of a side that finished fourth in the league last season and qualified for Europe.

Ross will now look to refresh the squad in the transfer market ahead of tackling the Europa Conference League qualifiers in July.

“I’ve had a spell out of management and was happy to have a break,” said Ross.

“I’ve had offers from Scotland, England and overseas to return to work but I haven’t had that real buzz of excitement that you need to go in and do a good job.

“In all the conversations I’ve had with the club, I’ve felt that buzz and excitement. I firmly believe I’ve been given a fantastic opportunity at a terrific football club.

“What we did last year was brilliant, but the challenge is to deliver consistent success to the club.

“There’s a historical aspect to this too. I grew up with Scottish football and I understand Dundee United’s historical standing in the game.

“It’s already a big club but the potential is there for it to continue growing.

“I’ve got to deliver success to meet those expectations.

“But part of the attraction for me is the fact there is big expectation from the fans. That’s something I’ve had at a lot my previous clubs. It’s something I’ll embrace.”

Sporting Director Tony Asghar said: “Jack Ross is one of the best managers we could have brought to the club. We’re delighted he’s here.

“He’s vastly experienced, he knows how to plan and build a squad.

“We have been working through a strategic plan for the last three and half years and this is an exciting part of that journey.

“We are building a good young squad that is balanced with experience with an aim to continually get into the top six and challenge in cup competitions.”

The job is the former defender’s fifth in management. He began his management career at Alloa Athletic before moving to St Mirren in 2016, where he guided the team to safety from relegation before winning the Championship the following season.

That success led to a move to Sunderland but a failure to secure promotion from League One through the play-offs, and a difficult start to the following season, saw him sacked by the Wearside club.