Tony Asghar ramps up Dundee United next manager search as frontrunner emerges after Duncan Ferguson knock back

Liam Fox is now out in front spot for the Dundee United job as the club hope to appoint a new boss before the international break.

Jack Ross departed the Tayside outfit last month after just 10 weeks in charge, and Fox has been in placed in caretaker charge since United made the call after they heavy 9-0 defeat to Celtic. Fox has a Premier Sports Cup win over Livingston and a draw with Motherwell in the league under his belt, and the 38-year-old has been at Tannadice as a coach for the past 18-months and was a contender to take over when Tam Courts moved to Hungarians Honved.

But now the ex-Cowdenbeath boss is the frontrunner to take charge of the Tangerines on a permanent basis, with United's Sporting Director Tony Asghar keen to move quickly with the appointment, report The Sun. It comes after former United striker Duncan Ferguson reportedly rejected the club's advances as he weighs up his next move.

The 50-year-old has been out of work since leaving Everton in a bid to pursue his own options. But Tayside is apparently not the place for him. It means that Tannadice chiefs will continue their search, with hopes of appointing a new manager before the international break later this month.

Other names in the frame have been Michael O'Neill, Kevin Thomson and Malky Mackay. The new boss will be Dundee United's 26th boss since the legendary Jim McLean stepped down from his duties back in 1993.

READ NEXT