Dundee United head coach Tam Courts departs by 'mutual agreement'
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Tam Courts was only in charge at Dundee United for 12 months, securing European football for the club for the first time since 2012
Dundee United have announced the departure of head coach Tam Courts by "mutual agreement".
The 40-year-old had been given permission to speak to Croatian side Rijeka last week.
Courts was in charge at Tannadice for a year, leading the club to fourth in the Scottish Premiership and a Europa Conference League spot.
United have "identified a preferred candidate" to replace him, with details expected "in the coming days".
Courts, who previously managed Kelty Hearts in the Lowland League, had been employed as the club's head of tactical performance before he was the surprise choice to succeed Micky Mellon last summer.
"We made a brave appointment by promoting from within, but it was a calculated risk that clearly paid off," said sporting director Tony Asghar.
"We enjoyed a lot of success on the field 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."
Only last month, owner Mark Ogren said he would not hold Courts back if a lucrative offer came his way.
And Courts explained: "It's not an easy decision to move on from Dundee United, but I believe my time with the club has helped me grow and develop immensely, both personally and professionally, and I feel ready for my next challenge."
Asghar went on to say: "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.
"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."
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