DUNDEE UNITED sporting director Tony Asghar has revealed that the club already have a replacement for Tam Courts lined up following his shock departure.

The Tannadice club announced Courts' exit this lunchtime with the 40-year-old expected to join up with Croatian outfit Rijeka.

United have already started their recruitment process for a replacement manager and the club say they expect to announce their new man within the coming days.

“I’d like to place on record our gratitude towards Tam Courts for the service he has given Dundee United both as Head Coach and in his previous role as Head of Tactical Performance,” said Asghar.

“We made a brave appointment last year by promoting from within but it was a calculated risk that clearly paid off. 

“We enjoyed a lot of success on the field last year and qualified for Europe. This is testament to the culture we have created throughout the club.

“Tam bought into our long-term strategy to develop some of the finest young talent in Scotland. The fruits of our labour are there for all to see with the recent international call-ups of Archie, Kieran and Ross.

“But through the course of discussions with Tam it became clear he was keen to pursue other options and we had to look after the best interests of the club.

“Following continued discussions, we have now agreed to mutually terminate his contract to allow him time to secure his next opportunity.

“He leaves with our best wishes, but I would like to assure Dundee United fans that the club is moving in a timely fashion to appoint a new Head Coach.

“We have identified a preferred candidate and we anticipate making a further announcement on this in the coming days.”