Dundee name Steven Pressley as new head coach – Daily Business

Dundee have sprung a surprise by naming former Falkirk and Coventry City boss Steven Pressley as the club’s new head coach.

The 51-year-old has not managed a team since leaving Carlisle United in 2019, and just last week left English Premier League side Brentford after four years as their head of individual player development.

The likes of Shaun Maloney, Scott Brown and David Healy had all been linked with the Dens Park post after Tony Docherty’s sacking at the end of the season but Dundee said Pressley was the stand-out candidate given his huge experience in the game.

Managing director John Nelms said: “Steven has spent the last four years at English Premier League club Brentford and brings with him a shared core value of player development and a rounded approach to winning football.

“Steven will be installing a framework that delivers on the messaging that the senior players and the development players are one effective team. This will bring success to Dundee Football Club on and off the park.”

As part of a restructuring of the football department, former St Mirren assistant David Longwell has also joined the club as technical manager, focusing on player development, having ended the season as caretaker manager with National League club Fylde.

Pressley was signed by Dundee technical director Gordon Strachan when he was Celtic manager.

He was appointed No. 2 to Scotland manager George Burley in February 2008 and took charge of Falkirk in 2010 where his first taste of full-time management ended in relegation. He then steered Coventry City clear of relegation in League One despite the club going into administration.

The former Hearts captain subsequently had spells in charge of Fleetwood Town, Cyprus outfit Pafos and English League Two side Carlisle United.