Dundee United appoint club legend Paatelainen
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| AFP |
Struggling Dundee United have appointed Mixu Paatelainen as their new manager. A former player at Tannadice between 1987 and 1992, the Finn scored 47 times in 173 appearances and is a member of the club's hall of fame.
Paatelainen, who also played for Aberdeen, Bolton Wanderers and Hibernian among others, has signed a contract through to June 2018. As a coach he was most recently in charge of the Finland national side for four years and has had spells with other Scottish clubs Kilmarnock, Hibs and Cowdenbeath.
United chairman Stephen Thompson told the club's official website: "I am delighted to welcome Mixu back to the club as our new head coach. He served United with distinction as a player and will do the same as a manager.
"His desire to come back to the club was clear from the first minute we spoke. He was the first person we spoke to and also the last."
Paatelainen succeeds Jackie McNamara as boss of the Tannadice club currently sitting bottom of the Premiership table. McNamara was sacked on September 28 after United had taken just five points from their opening nine matches.