Dundee United fans call for sporting director Tony Asghar to leave at club AGM

A group of Dundee United fans have renewed their calls for sporting director Tony Asghar to leave the club ahead of the club’s AGM.

The Tannadice club’s annual meeting began on Tuesday morning, with club owner Mark Ogren in attendance, but some fans gathered before the event to hang a large banner on the stadium gates that read “Asghar out”.

United supports had previously displayed a similar banner at a Premiership game against Hearts earlier this month in protest at the current direction of the team.

Fans made their feelings known outside the stadium. (Photo by STV News)

Currently sitting at the bottom of the league table, United have struggled this season under manager Liam Fox, and supporter unhappiness grew after the January transfer window. The club failed to bring in significant signings and allowed forward Tony Watt to join St Mirren on loan just before the deadline, without adding a replacement.

Recruitment and performance issues have brought the spotlight on Asghar but the sporting director gave a recent interview where he insisted the club had tried to sign quality players in January but would not settle for making additions just for the sake of it.

He also defended the appointment of Fox and the high turnover of managers at the club, which has parted company with Robbie Neilson, Micky Mellon and Liam Fox in just three-and-a-half years.

Dundee United sporting director Tony Asghar has become the focus of fan unhappiness. (Photo by Mark Scates / SNS Group)

Asghar also addressed the banner at the Hearts game calling for his removal, saying he could handle criticism.

He said: “Personally, it’s always disappointing when someone is putting your name on a banner but I do look at that and say: ‘If I’m the problem, then they are keeping it away from anyone else at the club.’

“I take that on board and on the chin. It gives me a challenge to get things right and get the ship steering again.

“I will say that there have been a number of fans contacting me and giving me support personally but I can’t disagree and say there shouldn’t be some form of venting.

“Sometimes it doesn’t help the players and gives the opposition an advantage.