Scottish Premiership sack race: Jim Goodwin is clear front-runner after Dundee United latest – here’s why
Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin looks set to be the next Scottish Premiership manager on the chopping block if his side lose to Aberdeen on Wednesday.
The last Premiership boss to be relieved of his duties was Wilfried Nancy, after he was sacked by Celtic on 5 January following just over a month in charge.
Livingston boss David Martindale had also been under pressure, with the club lingering at the bottom of the table, and he moved to a sporting director role on 1 February to allow Marvin Bartley to take the reins.
Goodwin could be the next managerial casualty in Scotland’s top flight, after a poor campaign in charge of Dundee United so far.
The 44-year-old has been the Tangerines’ manager for nearly three years now, but may well lose his job if his side are beaten by Aberdeen this week.
Dundee United have struggled recently and could sack Jim Goodwin after a loss to Aberdeen
Goodwin initially took charge of United on a short-term contract in March 2023, and was offered the managerial role permanently two months later despite their relegation to the second tier.
He led the club to an immediate promotion back to the Premiership as Championship champions in 2023-24, then they finished fourth last season to reach the Conference League qualifying stage.
United were knocked out of Europe before reaching the league stage last August, as well as the first knockout stage of the Premier Sports Cup, and the rest of their campaign has followed a similar pattern.
Goodwin’s side have won just five of their 24 league games so far this term, and currently sit eighth in the Premiership, just two points ahead of rivals Dundee in 10th.
They have lost their last four league matches, conceding at least three goals in three of those, and a loss against seventh-placed Aberdeen could well spell the end for Goodwin at Tannadice.
Dundee United vs Aberdeen could be called off in boost for Goodwin
Both sides are in real need of wins on Wednesday, but United’s home clash against Aberdeen could be postponed based on the upcoming forecast.
The Met Office have issued a new yellow weather warning for rain that runs for the whole 24 hours on Wednesday, with the cities of Dundee and Aberdeen both set to be affected.
United’s cup game against The Spartans was postponed last weekend, and along with the pitch potentially being waterlogged again, fans can still expect travel delays if the game does go ahead.
Flooding is also possible in affected areas, while power services could even be interrupted too, which, in turn, could also hinder supporters getting to Tannadice.