Dundee United are delighted to confirm Manager, Jim Goodwin, has penned a new 12-month rolling contract with the club.

Since his permanent appointment in May 2023, the Irishman has overseen a sustained period of success at Tannadice.

Tasked with overhauling the squad to ensure a rapid return to the top table of Scottish football, Goodwin welcomed ten new recruits to the city of Discovery in the summer of 2023 who would ultimately secure William Hill Championship glory. 

The Terrors amassed a decade-high of 75 points on their road back to the top flight, whilst also maintaining the best defensive record throughout the SPFL pyramid for the 2023/24 campaign – having conceded just 23 goals in 36 games.

Goodwin also found himself named the Championship’s Manager of the Month on three separate occasions, leading to his acknowledgement as the second-tier’s best boss with the Manager of the Year award in May 2024.

A new-look United’s first two months back in the Premiership were our most fruitful in over ten years, as statement victories over Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, St Johnstone and St Mirren set the tone for another stellar season.

Our scintillating form persisted during the festive period, with Goodwin steering his charges to three crucial consecutive triumphs over St Johnstone, Aberdeen and city rivals Dundee within the space of six heady days on Tayside. 

As a result, supporters and players alike began to set their sights on a European dream – one which was realised on Matchday 38. Amid a swathe of injuries and absences during the final weeks of the term, United welcomed their New-Firm foes to Tannadice for a straight shoot-out for fourth place.

A 90 minutes which characterised 2024/25 followed, with United staging a gutsy second-half fightback against all odds to leapfrog the Dons and secure a richly-merited place in the UEFA Conference League qualifiers. 

Alongside Chief Executive, Luigi Capuano, and namesake Head of Recruitment, Ross Goodwin, the 42-year-old instigated another colossal rebuild in preparation for our continental adventure, with 14 new faces from across the globe arriving to bolster the ranks.

Drawn against FC UNA Strassen in the Second Qualifying Round of the UEFA Conference League, Goodwin’s side dispatched the plucky Luxembourgian outfit with successive 1-0 victories both on home soil and in Differdange. In doing so, he became the first United boss to traverse through a two-legged European tie in almost 30 years.

Just seven days later, the Terrors would tussle with Austrian giants SK Rapid Wien in the next round. An unforgettable first leg at the Allianz Stadion saw goals from striking duo Max Watters and Zac Sapsford set-up a finely-poised return to Tayside.

A high-octane evening on Tannadice Street began with a Watters brace putting the hosts two-goals ahead on aggregate, however the 32-time Austrian champions battled back to restore parity and ultimately progress into the Play-Off Round with a penalty shootout victory.

Despite the disappointment, the home crowd applauded their heroes off the Tannadice turf in a show of solidarity which symbolises in microcosm the togetherness which has been cultivated under Goodwin’s two-year reign at the club.

With three Premiership matches now ticked off the 2025/26 schedule, United currently occupy fourth spot once more as the boss toasted 400 games in the dugout with Dundee Derby delight.

IT’S BEEN A TREMENDOUS JOURNEY

After committing his future to the club, the Gaffer commented: “It’s been a tremendous journey throughout the past two years and I’m incredibly pleased with what we’ve built here.

“I said when I arrived that I wanted to give the supporters a team that they can be proud of and I believe, as a collective, we have achieved that thus far.

“When I first came through the doors at Tannadice, the club was at a real crossroads – but there was a clear vision from the board and a hunger from the fans to get this club back to where it belongs.

“We’ve had to make difficult decisions, rebuild the squad on numerous occasions, and push through some real tests of character – but the buy-in across the club and fanbase has been nothing short of incredible.”

He continued: “Winning the Championship, finishing fourth in our first season back in the Premiership, and giving a strong account of ourselves in Europe are achievements we can all take immense pride in – but they’re just the start. 

“We’re building something sustainable, something with identity, and I truly believe we’re only scratching the surface of what we can achieve together.

“We need everyone involved to continue to pull in the same direction to ensure we can keep building a culture conducive to prolonged success, and I have no doubts everyone connected with Dundee United will maintain the high standards we have set here.

“Another exciting challenge lies ahead of myself and the backroom team as we look to emulate and better the exploits of last year – one that I’m ready to meet head on with the continued support of the board, staff, players and supporters.”

JIM HAS MASSIVELY INFLUENCED OUR RETURN TO SUCCESS AND STABILTY

Chief Executive, Luigi Capuano, added: “We’re delighted to have secured Jim’s services for the extended future.

“Upon his initial appointment, we set out a clear vision for the short, medium and long-term objectives of the football club. We emphasised the necessity to remain within the agreed strategy to ensure a sustainable regrowth, and Jim has massively influenced our return to success and stability across the past two years.

“He’s had the full, unwavering support of senior leadership throughout his tenure, underlined by forward-thinking appointments such as that of Ross Goodwin, which has further enhanced our ability to identify talent and increase the squads aptitude to compete in elite-level competition.

“The togetherness between Jim and the board puts us in the best possible position to prolong our prosperity and achieve our long-term ambitions of regularly competing for the top six, reaching the latter stages of cup competitions and returning to the European stage.

“The terrific connection that has been nurtured between the club and the supporters was a huge factor in Jim’s decision to remain here, as he sees further opportunity to build upon the strong foundations that have been laid since his arrival with the backing of everyone connected with the club.