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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport

New Dundee United Liam Fox shrugs off negative social media reaction

With Dundee United propping up the Premiership without a league win to their name, new Tannadice head coach Liam Fox certainly does not have his troubles to seek.

League victories are the No.1 priority but the 38-year-old is also conscious of the fact that he has to win over sections of the home support who regard his appointment with a high degree of scepticism.

Fox has only managed once before - an ill-fated spell at Cowdenbeath - and he was also assistant to Jack Ross during his disastrous 10-week reign as United boss at the start of this season.

Fox did manage to steady the ship as interim boss following Ross’s sacking, overseeing a win at Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup, a Premiership draw at Motherwell and then a narrow defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

Now, following his permanent appointment as United head coach on a two-year deal, he has revealed he has a vision of where he wants to take the team and has backed himself to fulfil it.

Fox, who has also coached at Hearts and been an assistant boss at Livingston, said: “I’m proud and feel privileged to be asked to manage the football club, so I am looking forward to it.

“We want things to be very positive, there’s no point looking back. We are moving forward and that has been the message to the staff and players.”

That positivity has yet to manifest itself with sections of the fanbase who are less than impressed with the appointment of the young coach despite 90 other applicants for the post.

Fox, who was United boss Tam Courts’ right-hand man last season, added: “Firstly, I don’t have social media. Maybe that’s a good thing! It’s something I just don’t do.

“Secondly, I can understand that. They probably look at me as not a high-profile name.

“But what I can say is, I’ve worked with this group of players for a period of time and I have trust and belief from them.

New Dundee United boss Liam Fox ready for hotseat despite social media reactionLiam Fox was assistant to Jack Ross

“I also have it very clear in my own mind where we can take this team. I’m backing myself to do that.

“All I can do is make sure the team is training well every day and putting in performances on a Saturday and, ultimately, winning football matches.”

If he fails to do that, Fox is fully aware that football management is an occupation which is not known for job security.

He added: “That’s the world of football today, that’s the nature of it.

“Why become a manager then? That’s something my wife asked me too!

“It’s something I have been working towards for a long time and sometimes in life opportunities come along.

“I’d rather live my life by things I have done as opposed to things I haven’t done.

“So I’d rather commit to it and if it doesn’t go right it doesn’t go right - that’s how I look at life.”

Fox revealed that Ross was one of the first people he contacted when he was offered the head coach position.

He said: “We have been in contact all throughout this process, first because he’s my mate and someone I respect, secondly he was one of the first people I called when I was offered the job because it was only right he heard it from me.

“Jack couldn’t have been more supportive.”

Fox will also be leaning on his assistant, former Scotland striker Stevie Crawford for support.

The pair worked together previously at Hearts and Fox said: “I decided I wanted Stevie very quickly. It is important, firstly, that I surround myself with good people and Stevie is a top, top person.”

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