AS a player, Mixu Paatelainen always attempted to make an early statement when he knew he had a battle ahead of him. Jim McLean, his manager for five years at Tannadice, expected nothing less. Judging by his introduction as Dundee United manager, such principles have clearly followed him into management. Nearly three decades after this feisty 20-year-old Finn swept into Scottish football from FC Haka, the 48-year-old was less concerned about the symbolism of his career coming full circle than firing a warning shot across the bows of an underperforming squad of players who are rooted to the bottom of the Ladbrokes Championship. McLean is in ill health these days but just perhaps he would have approved of such an approach.
"I relished battles as a player," said Paatelainen. "I loved them. I remember how I psyched myself up before matches to make sure the centre-half knew he was in a game from that first challenge. It’s the first thing in football. The successful teams work so hard. Barcelona and Real Madrid are known for wonderful football but look at how hard they work when they lose the ball."
Maybe in time Paatelainen's United will play as fluent, coherent football as his Kilmarnock side achieved during his eight-month stint at Rugby Park, but first and foremost the Finn has his sleeves rolled up in recognition of the challenge he has on his hands and wants his players to do the same. Already rooted to the base of the league, United face the Premiership's current top six sides in their next half dozen matches, with a tricky League Cup quarter final tie with Hibs thrown into the mix. The photos of the trophy-laden McLean era adorn the walls of Tannadice, but for now returning United to their former glories is a long-term project. The day to day is simply avoiding a relegation dogfight.
"I don't know [whether McLean would approve of his appointment], you would have to ask him, but I am thankful for what I learned and experienced here in my five years at United," said Paatelainen. "There wasn't a player who didn't fall foul of him at some point. If you let your standards slip a little bit, you knew about it. Jim was a tough, tough man and everybody made sure that they did their bit. I can't remember any specific incidents ... or not for the microphone anyway.
"Fearsome is a negative word, I don't want to use that," the Finn added. "I have so much respect for what Jim McLean did - just look at his results. He had United beating massive clubs in Europe and winning the Premier League and stuff like that.
"So all of us who played under Jim McLean were so lucky. I don’t think we realised it at the time because he was a very tough taskmaster. But looking back, the way he drilled us was wonderful. Everyone’s job was so clear. If someone didn’t listen first time, they would after a lesson. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that so many of his ex-players have become coaches and managers."
Part of that legacy still hangs about this place, though, and in the minds of the supporters. As privileged as he feels to return to this club, the Finn acknowledges that the weight of history only adds to the strain he must take on those broad shoulders of his. Paatelainen says he "doesn't know" if it is possible to recreate the glory days, but - incrementally, gradually - he intends to give it a go.
"It does create extra pressure," said Paatelainen, who will be assisted by former Motherwell youth coach Gordon Young, with the club currently in discussions to add a goalkeeper coach to their staff. "The older supporters remember those days and would like them back. So if it doesn't go in that direction then they will moan and they won't be happy, I know that. It will take a while to turn things around. But we will try to make small steps.
"So far, the team has conceded an average of two goals a game," he added. "Scoring three to win is a tall ask. We want to make sure we are tighter and more solid. My philosophy is to pass from the back and create chances. But that maybe takes more time."
Paatelainen's time with his homeland was cut short in June, after unsuccessful qualifying attempts for World Cup 2014 and Euro 2016 but as Gordon Strachan would probably tell him, this international management lark isn't always easy. “I did my homework on Mixu," said chairman Stephen Thompson. "People say he failed with Finland but he’s the second most successful coach they’ve had. There’s a real passion for the game, he’s very driven but he’s learned a lot in his coaching. He was in the top six in his three years with previous clubs in Scotland. We have gone a slightly different route but the club is in a different position to when Jackie came in on and off the park. Unfortunately we are bottom of the league and it’s a challenge but we will work together to get us up the league.”
That was a call for unity from a chairman still stung by the fall-out of the messy sale of Stuart Armstrong, Gary Mackay-Steven and Nadir Ciftci to Celtic. United already have a swollen 51-man first team squad, but further arrivals will be sanctioned in January. “There’s been a lot of things that have happened over the last nine months but today’s a fresh start," Thompson said. "Let’s hope everyone will get behind Mixu."
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