Tannadice waiting for McLean to sell shares

Dundee United will not begin any re-structuring until their former chairman Jim McLean has decided how to sell his shares.

Dundee United will not begin any re-structuring until their former chairman Jim McLean has decided how to sell his shares.

Vice-chairman Doug Smith will take over as interim chairman following McLean's resignation after an incident with a BBC reporter on Saturday. But the Tannadice club will withhold any future plans until a successor takes over.

"In the present circumstances, it would be imprudent and unwise to settle upon a new and permanent structure for the club until Jim has had an opportunity to decide how and to whom he wishes to dispose of his shareholding," the club said in a statement.

"In the interim, the board of directors has asked Doug Smith to assume the role of chairman. Bill Littlejohn will carry out day-to-day executive duties at Tannadice."

The club says there has been an overwhelming response from fans following the news that McLean was leaving Tannadice after 29 years.

"We have been contacted, not only by United supporters from all over the UK and abroad, but also by fans of many other clubs who have asked us to pass on their best wishes to Mr McLean and his family," the statement added. "It is clear from the response of the last 48 hours that there is still a large majority of supporters who have a huge respect for Jim and are desperately sorry that Dundee United has lost its most loyal servant.

"The club and the board share these sentiments and wish to place on record their own deep gratitude to Jim for everything he has achieved at Tannadice and for his unstinting devotion to Dundee United.

"His achievements as manager and chairman are remarkable and his experience, knowledge and football acumen will be missed by everyone at Tannadice."

The grocery chain millionaire Eddie Thompson, who helped found the United for Change group which wanted to oust McLean, insists he will not be rushing the former chairman into selling his shares.

Thompson has approached McLean's lawyers through his own legal representatives to ask if he would be willing to sell the shares to him.

The Dundee United defender Stephen Wright could be out for a month. He faces a knee operation after suffering cartilage damage against Hearts on Saturday.