O'Neill in frame for Dundee Utd job
Thursday December 24 2009
SHAMROCK ROVERS manager Michael O'Neill is in the frame for the vacant position as manager of Dundee United after the departure of Craig Levein to become Scotland boss.
Current St Johnstone boss Derek McInnes is believed to be in pole position for the post, although reports in Scotland indicate that the Tannadice club are waiting to see if there is interest from further afield.
Both O'Neill and McInnes are former Dundee United players and have impressed in their early steps into management.
Shamrock Rovers would be due significant compensation if O'Neill was appointed. The Northern Irishman -- who was lured to Tallaght from Brechin City last winter -- has enjoyed a boost in profile from a successful first season with the Dublin club.
They were pipped to the title by Bohemians, and Gypsies boss Pat Fenlon will also be considered in the equation. It's understood that Levein will have an input in the appointment of a new man, and he is well aware of Fenlon's qualities given his knowledge of the Irish scene.
Dundee United defender Sean Dillon was recruited from Shelbourne when Fenlon's title-winning Reds side was broken up by financial troubles, and Levein recently recruited rising Galway star Aaron Greene.
However, The Terrors' chairman Stephen Thompson says the club won't be rushed into making an appointment.
"We've already had plenty of names put to us as potential replacements and I can understand why, because we've got a good squad of players and are in a strong position to attract good candidates," he said. Dundee United sit fourth in the SPL table, 10 points off top spot.
"However, we won't be rushing into appointing someone else," he continued. "We'll take our time and look at all the options."
- Daniel McDonnell
Irish Independent
