TAM COURTS has left Dundee United by 'mutual agreement' amid links to the vacant NK Rijeka post.
Manager Courts, 39, was appointed as Tannadice boss last year and led the club to European qualification and a fourth placed finish.
However, he has now left the club after "expressing a desire to explore other options away from Tannadice".
Courts has been heavily linked with a move to Croatian side NK Rijeka in recent weeks.
And after reaching an agreement to leave United with immediate effect, Courts could continue talks with the club.
Sporting director Tony Asghar has already started work on a replacement with a "preferred candidate" identified.
It's suggested an announcement of a new boss could come in the next few days.
Speaking to the club website, Asghar said: “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.
“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.”
Tam Courts said: “I’m immensely grateful to everyone at Dundee United for the opportunity they gave me to manage such a prestigious club.
“Tony Asghar took a chance on me and I had terrific backing from the owner Mark Ogren, the Exec Team and from my backroom staff such as Liam Fox and Adam Asghar.
“A special thank you must also go to the players who have been a joy to work with and a pleasure to lead. They give maximum effort to everything they do for the club and I hope they have continued success for next season and beyond.
"Without their support and the backing of the fans, we wouldn’t have achieved our fourth-placed finish and qualification for the Europa Conference League.
“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.”
