STEPHEN THOMPSON, the Dundee United chairman, blamed “the harsh realities of relegation” as he began preparing for life in the Ladbrokes Championship by confirming manager Mixu Paatelainen’s widely-anticipated sacking, releasing eight players and telling several more they are also free to leave.

Defeat to Dundee in Monday night’s derby confirmed the Tannadice club will be playing second-tier football next season for the first time in 20 years. Paatelainen, appointed only in October, was the first to pay the price for what he euphemistically described as “a difficult winter”, the Finn departing with immediate effect.

Thompson and general manager David Southern then met with each member of the first-team squad on a one-to-one basis before announcing that all but one of those players with expiring contracts – the Japanese goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima – would not be offered new deals. Among those going is John Rankin, the midfielder who has been with the club since 2011, and who also sat in the discussions in his role as a representative of PFA Scotland.

“I have had to explain the harsh realities of relegation to the squad,” Thompson said. “I spoke to them about cost cutting measures. It was not a pleasant thing to have to do, but it was better to do it face to face with them. John Rankin was there in his SPFA capacity and was very good about things. He was a great help.”

Rankin took to social media to confirm his impending departure and to apologise to supporters for the recent relegation.

“I’d like to thank everyone connected with Dundee United for their help and support over the last five years,” he wrote. “I would also like to apologise to all Arabs for our dismal performances this season and ultimately the lowest point of those five years. Unfortunately my time here is coming to an end, however, I have the privilege of pulling on the tangerine [shirt] three times more at most and I will give 100% in those games.”

Those also set to be released are Edward Ofere, Callum Morris, Guy Demel, Ryan Dow, Euan Spark, Joe McGovern and Florent Sinama Pongolle.

It is also understood that most of those players whose contracts extend beyond the summer have also been told they are free to find new clubs. That list includes Paul Paton, Charlie Telfer, Mark Durnan, Coll Donaldson, Henri Anier and Paul Dixon, although it is thought some including club captain Sean Dillon, Blair Spittal, Simon Murray, Scott Fraser and Luis Zwick will be kept on.

Kyle Knoyle and Billy McKay will return to their parent clubs once their loan spells finish, Chris Erskine has signed a pre-contract deal to return to Partick Thistle, while Gavin Gunning and Robbie Muirhead had already been released.