Jim Goodwin was warned not to take the Dundee United job – but the new manager is confident he has not boarded a sinking ship at Tannadice.
The former Aberdeen manager has replaced Liam Fox in the United dugout, just 32 days after he was sacked following a disastrous run at Pittodrie. The Arabs are four points adrift at the bottom of the Premiership after losing six consecutive matches.
But despite advice from respected voices that he should wait until the summer, Goodwin is backing himself to save United from the drop – starting with a highly-anticipated Aberdeen reunion on Saturday.
READ MORE: Jim Goodwin looking to ‘make amends’ at Dundee Utd after Aberdeen woes
“I have had a number of people advising me on what the risks are and what the negativity will look like if we didn’t have a positive outcome,” the new boss said. “My mindset is different. If I am looking at this from the outside and thought it was a sinking ship and a really poor squad of players, I wouldn’t have entertained a conversation with the United board. I know how ambitious Dundee United are.
“Maybe now is not a time to be talking about ambition, but the investment the owner has made and the University of St Andrews is a brilliant place to come and train and work. We have a really good stadium and everything is there for success.
“My job is to retain Premiership status. Nothing beyond that matters.
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“A lot of different people have looked at it from a different aspect. I can see the only way is up from the league table from the position we are in.
“Experienced people in the game and some people who are still in the game, all telling me I should wait until the summer and other things would come up. I back myself to turn things around.
“I wasn’t how happy how things ended at Aberdeen and not only have the players got the chance to make amends over the next 12 games but me as a young manager has got the same opportunity - to show I had a bad week at Aberdeen and it cost me my job but I am still able to manage at that level.”
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