SHAUN MALONEY has been tipped for a return to the Premiership after Dundee sacked boss Tony Docherty this morning.
The Dens Park hierarchy acted swiftly after the team beat St Johnstone 2-0 yesterday to make certain of a place in the top flight nex season.
However, the last-day win did not act as a lifeline for Docherty, who took over the Tayside hot seat in the summer of 2023 after spells as assistant gaffer at Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and St Johnstone.
Club owner Tim Keyes and managing director John Nelms have decided to make a change and former Celtic midfielder Maloney, who had a brief stint as Hibs manager, is reported to be in the frame.
The ex-Scotland international star has been out of work since leaving Wigan in March.
BEST OF ENEMIES…rival bosses Brendan Rodgers and Tony Docherty after Celtic’s 3-3 draw with Dundee at Dens Park in January.
Maloney held talks with the Dens Park club in 2022, but no agreement was reached and he was appointed boss of English third-tier Wigan in January the following year.
Explaining their dramatic actions, Dundee stated that this season had “not met the standards expected by the club.”
They’re also planning to restructure the club’s football department while they begin their search for the next manager.
A club statement read: “Dundee Football Club can today confirm that manager Tony Docherty, Stuart Taylor, Alan Combe and Graeme Henderson have been relieved of their duties at the football club with immediate effect.
“Tony was appointed manager of Dundee FC in May 2023 after the club was promoted to the Scottish Premiership and in his first season in charge guided the club to a top six finish in the league.
“Stuart was brought in as assistant manager to Tony in June 2023. Alan has been with the club since 2021 as goalkeeping coach and Graeme joined last summer as head of performance.
THE END IS NIGH…Shaun Maloney at Hampden after Hibs’ Scottish Cup semi-final loss to Hearts in April 2022 – just before he was sacked by the Easter Road club.
“Sunday’s result confirmed the club’s place in the Scottish Premiership for next season. However, this season the results of the team have not met the standards expected by the club.
“With the club finishing the season in tenth position, one place above the relegation play-off position, the club have taken the decision to relieve Tony of his duties.
“The club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Tony, Stuart, Alan and Graeme for all of the work they have put into the club during their time at Dundee FC. We wish them all the best for the future.
“The club intends at this juncture to restructure the football department and the process to appoint a new management team begins immediately.
“The club shall be making no further comment at this time.”
