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Hungarian move was bigger lure to Tam than leading United in Europe

By Graeme Croser

TAM COURTS admits the desire to forge a career managing abroad trumped the prospect of a continental fling with Dundee United.

The 41-year-old quit Tannadice after leading the club to a fourthplaced Premiership finish last term, securing the club European football for the first time in a decade.

Rather than stick around to enjoy the fruits of his labour, he decided to pursue a completely different challenge 1500 miles away.

The opportunity to manage in Hungary only arose after he had entered into talks with Croatian side Rijeka, a process that convinced him he wanted to try something totally different.

In stepped Chris Docherty, previously head of tactical performance at Tannadice. Docherty, 30, had recently taken up the role of sports director at Honved after hastily aborting a similar project at Russian side Akron following the invasion of Ukraine.

‘I was in Turkey on holiday when the Rijeka opportunity was floated past me but I didn’t pay much notice for the first 12 hours,’ says Courts . ‘I let Tony Asghar (United sporting director) know about it the following day because we had that kind of relationship.

‘On that call, he said I should have a chat with them because he knew I harboured ambitions to manage abroad.

‘That was surprising for me but also an indication of how much Tony was invested in my development as a coach.

‘Once I spoke to them, I started to get more excited about working abroad and the complex challenges that go with it.

‘But when it started to become protracted, I could feel that it was slipping away.

‘At that point, it became clear to myself and Dundee United that I was ready to move on.

‘The last thing I wanted was to affect their pre-season and planning, so that’s why it was announced that I was leaving before I actually joined Honved.’

After Courts’ exit, United moved to appoint Jack Ross as the club’s new manager, handing him funds to improve an already decent team.

After a fine season on loan, Welsh international Dylan Levitt was secured on a permanent transfer from Manchester United, while former Scotland striker Steven

Fletcher was also brought in to lead the frontline.

Craig Sibbald and Jamie McGrath deepened the midfield options, while there was instant pay-off to the addition of Glenn Middleton as the ex-Rangers winger scored the goal that defeated AZ Alkmaar in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier.

Speaking before the second-leg capitulation that saw United lose 7-0 in the Netherlands on Thursday night, Courts insists the immediate challenge at United did not lack appeal.

‘I was excited by the opportunity to manage in Europe with United and build on the success we’d just had,’ says Courts. ‘There were a number of players who were out of contract, so it was a chance for us to put our stamp on the team.

‘Last season, we had to be pragmatic at times. We had to convey a certain message in the media.

‘It was a very tense league, with little margin for error.

‘The fans were maybe frustrated but I felt if we just managed to stay the course, we’d topple ourselves into Europe and that’s how it panned out.

‘But I knew the opportunity would be more exciting in year two with the chance to recruit.

‘Looking at it from a distance seeing the enjoyment the fans took from players getting that European platform — just to have played a small part in that makes me feel proud.

‘The club is made for that, you saw that against Alkmaar in the first leg with the performance and atmosphere.

‘I feel really proud and I’m now a supporter of the club. I want them to do well.

‘In Jack, they’ve got a brilliant manager and he’s retained a lot of the staff who were there last season.’

Although he’s now firmly set on a course to broaden his horizons, Courts does not rule out an eventual return to Scotland. He added: ‘It’s hard to think too far ahead but there’s no doubt I decided to come here because I wanted to open up different possibilities.

‘But I would never rule out a return to Scotland. I love the Scottish game and love my time at United, so you can never say never.’

Football

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2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-08-14T07:00:00.0000000Z

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