Liam Fox has strongly defended Dundee United ’s players following the sacking of Jack Ross yesterday after just seven matches in charge.
The Tannadice manager paid the price for a disastrous run of results that has seen the Tangerines lose five games in a row – with the low point reached on Sunday when they conceded nine goals without reply to a rampant Celtic. Ross had insisted after the rout, which he described as humiliating and embarrassing, that he was still the right man for the job.
However, American owner Mark Ogren and sporting director Tony Asghar – who gave Ross a strong vote of confidence just last week – decided to wield the axe. United will now begin the search for yet another manager, their fourth since Robbie Neilson left for Hearts in June, 2020. However, the immediate pressing need is to somehow stop the rot tonight at Livingston in the Premier Sports Cup.
No.2 Fox will take charge on an interim basis and needs to select a team from a group of players still reeling from the double blow of the Celtic game and losing their manager in the space of a couple of days.
That hammering from the Hoops led to a barrage of criticism from fans and even former skipper Lee Wilkie who accused the players of not fighting for the manager or their team-mates.
But Fox insists that is far from the case and instead, the squad are still struggling to recover from the high of beating AZ Alkmaar at home in the Europa Conference League qualifier before losing the second leg 7-0. He said: “I’ll kill that one dead right now, about the players not trying hard enough.
“I just think we had such a high against Alkmaar at home and such a sore one over there. That has probably affected the group quite heavily and we haven’t shown enough resilience and character to bounce back from that.
“Everybody at the club has been looking for answers and if you are asking me, honestly, if I can put my finger on it? I can’t.
“But I can concentrate on preparing the players and trying to ensure we get a reaction against Livingston. We need a reaction. We’ve just been beaten 9-0. If that doesn’t hurt you something is seriously wrong. We need to come out swinging, be on the front-foot and repay these supporters — because I know they feel it.
“All the staff, coaches and players feel it too.”
Fox, who played for Hearts, Livingston and Raith, admitted the United squad should be stung by any suggestions they have not been trying in games.
He added: “A professional football player, they should be hurt by that. Speaking personally, if anyone had ever questioned my commitment or desire it would have been the worst thing.
“I was an average player so people were right to criticise me for not being able to pass or whatever. But no player should ever allow someone to put that question against you.
“It’s the worst slur that can be levelled against someone. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, that’s the world we live in nowadays and you have to accept it.
“The question we need to ask ourselves as players and a group of staff is we can’t accept that being said, so what’s the reaction? We need to find it and find it quickly. Do I see the character in there? Yes, and I can say that because I worked with them last season and the majority of the group who were here are still here.
“I know it’s there, I know it’s in them. It’s about helping them bring it out again, find that and get a reaction.
“Everyone is searching for answers at the moment and something I have spoken to the players about is when you are searching for things, let’s try to simplify it. Let’s go back to real basics and take it step by step. That’s what we’ll do tomorrow.”
While focusing on Livi, Fox is also hurting for his friend Ross. Fox said: “It’s probably been more difficult for me than anyone else at the club because of my personal relationship with Jack.
“I’ve known him for a number of years. On a personal level, it’s been really difficult. I spoke to Jack late Monday night and on Tuesday morning.
“Jack, being the guy he is, was really first class with me, as I knew he would be. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind, Jack will come back from this.
“He’s a top coach and a top manager. But sometimes in football things just work against you and you don’t get the rub of the green. That can happen to any person at any club.”
Asked if he’d like to be considered for the job on a permanent basis, Fox insisted: “The last few days have been a whirlwind so that is the furthest thing from my mind. My full focus is on the next kick-off.”
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