Scott Brown now leading candidate for vacant Dundee job

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·21 May 2025

Scott Brown now leading candidate for vacant Dundee job

Following Tony Docherty’s dismissal, Celtic legend Scott Brown has now emerged as the leading candidate for the Dundee managerial position…

Scott Brown, Ayr United manager is interviewed as Victor Wanyama of Dunfermline Athletic walks by Ayr United v Dunfermline,Scottish Championship, Somerset Park, Ayr, 29 March 2025. Photo Garry McHarg, Shutterstock

Immediately after the Dens Park club announced their search for a new manager, the Ayr United boss quickly became the frontrunner in the betting markets.

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Brown, with prior experience at Fleetwood Town, guided Ayr United to the Championship play-offs, though they ultimately fell short of promotion following a 2-0 home defeat to Partick Thistle.

The Gordon Strachan factor

Having previously played under the stewardship of Dundee’s technical director Gordon Strachan at Celtic Park and for the Scotland national team, the ex-Hoops skipper shares a close connection with him.

Shaun Maloney, Manager of Wigan Athletic looks on during the Championship between Wigan Athletic and Birmingham City at DW Stadium on March 04, 2023. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images)

Shaun Maloney was the early front-runner

Former Celtic midfielder Shaun Maloney is also among those rumoured for the position; currently unemployed following his departure from Wigan, he has previously declined the opportunity to manage at Dens Park.

Neil Lennon and Callum Davidson. St Johnstone v Celtic, Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden Park on Sunday 20 April 2025. Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

Neil Lennon also linked with Dens Park job

Neil Lennon, credited with securing Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic’s survival, is another early contender and shares a close connection with Strachan.

Former Motherwell manager Stuart Kettlewell and Aberdeen’s first-team coach Peter Leven are also potential candidates being considered.

Dundee maintain that no candidates have been finalised yet, with chief executive John Nelms set to begin the search for Docherty’s replacement.

Dens Park Dundee. Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

A Dundee FC statement stated: “The club intends at this juncture to restructure the football department and the process to appoint a new management team begins immediately.”

Tony Docherty, Head Coach of Dundee FC looks on prior to the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Dundee FC at Celtic Park on October 30, 2024 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Despite ensuring Dundee’s Premiership safety at the weekend, Docherty was dismissed within a day of keeping the Dee’s up. On Monday morning, Docherty, alongside assistant Stuart Taylor, goalkeeping coach Alan Combe, and head of performance Graeme Henderson, was called to a meeting where they were told their contracts had been terminated.

Docherty was held accountable for a disappointing second season, where his side narrowly avoided the relegation playoffs by securing a last-day victory against already relegated St Johnstone. Ross County now face Livingston in a two-legged playoff.

Kilmarnock could very well be interested in bringing Docherty back to the club now that Derek McInnes has left to take over at Hearts.

Conor Spence

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