Should his return to football take slightly longer than he would like, an alternative career as a statistician surely awaits Alex Rae. �My overall win rate was 47%.

Should his return to football take slightly longer than he would like, an alternative career as a statistician surely awaits Alex Rae.

"My overall win rate was 47%. It was around 49% before we ran into a bit of trouble towards the end." Rae casually throws out the numbers as he looks back on his two-and-a-half years as manager at Dundee, his first full-time coaching role, one abruptly brought to an end by his recent dismissal.

He left with the team winless in nine games and in eighth place in division one, but numbers, as Rae is aware, can be interpreted in different ways. Despite their dismal form, the tumultuous nature of the league meant Dundee were still only six points off top spot and were functioning without seven key players, all injured. Rae is reluctant to blame the circumstances that contributed to his dismissal, but his position was jeopardised by Dundee's policy of signing players without them first undergoing a thorough medical.

When injuries to players then began to mount up at the start of the season, the team went into decline. Rae ultimately paid for that with his job but, after an extensive playing career with Falkirk, Millwall, Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Rangers, was not entirely surprised with the decision.

"I knew the results towards the end weren't what was expected so I knew it was coming," he said. "At one point, we only had four senior players available and even now there are seven important players missing. It was always going to be difficult when you had to put fringe players in and I paid for that.

"Three to four weeks ago I knew we were struggling and tried to make it a case of damage limitation and try to see if we could stay as close to the leaders as possible. When the injured guys came back, I felt we could kick on. I never got that chance."

Eyebrows were raised when Dundee enticed players of the experience of Colin Cameron and Darren Young to Dens Park to offset the steady stream of departures from the club. Both players are yet to make their debuts having succumbed to pre-season knocks. Rae accepts partial responsibility but feels he had little alternative given the budget available.

"We had to make a judgment call. Players we wanted were going to clubs like Livingston and Dunfermline because these clubs could offer better money. I thought I could have used the money we got for Paul Dixon sold to Dundee United but it simply got swallowed up into the budget. That tied my hands a bit. We had a list of players we wanted and we couldn't get any of them. We ended up with guys who weren't on the list as they were the ones available. We went for guys with experience but who have yet to play a game for us.

"Colin Cameron picked up an injury in the summer and Darren Young has had calf problems. We fielded trialists in our first game of the season. So we knew it was going to be difficult. A few weeks ago I wanted to take a player on loan but was told the financial constraints made it impossible. That's the situation we were working in."

Rae's replacement is Jocky Scott, who has returned for a third spell as manager at Dens Park. His predecessor hopes Scott is given sufficient time. "I believe Jocky has signed an 18-month contract with a view to grooming his successor, and I hope he gets the time to see it through.

"The lack of continuity is a problem. I was told that Dundee has had 17 managers in 20 odd years, which tells its own story. Thirteen months is the average lifespan of a Dundee manager and the club needs stability. The chairman is trying to sell the club and the long-term view seems quite unstable.

"A lot of the players we had playing for us have gone on to play in the SPL or Championship so we managed to source a lot of quality without any money being available."

Rae reckons 80 players came and went during his stewardship, with the manager unable to stop prized talent like Kevin McDonald, Scott Robertson and Dixon leave in the summer. "The length of the contracts offered to the players caused that. Most were only on one or two-year deals because of the financial situation, so when we did well last year, other clubs cherry-picked the best. To lose a player like Scott Robertson for nothing was criminal."

Rae is in the process of completing his European Pro License coaching badges and is primed for a return to management should a suitable opportunity arise.

"I feel I did a reasonable job in my first management role. We brought the best out of guys like McDonald, Robertson and Derek Lyle and, last year especially, I felt things went well. Now I'm taking time to reflect, although if a job comes up, I would consider it. It's my first real break since I left school so it feels a bit strange just hanging about the house.

"I have a few business interests and I'm still going to games. I want to keep my finger on the pulse and see what's happening so, if a job comes up, I feel I'm up to speed. I don't think I could switch off. Football's in my blood."