Steven Pressley played for Rangers and Celtic and that takes bottle but only one thing can quell Dundee fans' revolt
'Elvis' isn't even in the building yet and his appointment has left the Dundee fans all shook up.
It is fair to say Steven Pressley 's appointment as head coach has gone down like a lead balloon on the dark blue side of Tayside.
They were perhaps looking for a so-called name who could excite the Dark Blue faithful.
Someone they could get behind after the sacking of Tony Docherty. Pressley went through the full interview process and managing director John Nelms believes that he is the right man.
Nelms went on the club's YouTube channel to explain the reason why he believes Pressley is perfect to coach the Dundee first-team.
Dundee have decided to move away from the traditional managerial set-up.
They have reshaped their footballing department with a new technical manager in David Longwell and a head coach, with Gordon Strachan working as a technical director above them.
It is clear that the recruitment will be moved away from the manager. Nelms made it clear that they want to keep the conveyor belt of homegrown talent flowing through from the academy that has brought the likes of Lyall Cameron, Fin Robertson and Josh Mulligan through in recent seasons.
A key asset for the head coach is developing players, both young and more experienced. Dundee want to do that while also winning games and competing in the top half of the Premiership.
Nelms explained how Pressley has spent the last few years developing young players for Premier League Brentford, so has all the skills from that role and he has previous managerial experience.
So why has Pressley's appointment been met with such resistance? Is it because he hasn't managed for more than six years since he left Carlisle United?
Is it because his managerial record prior to that had been somewhat indifferent after spells at Falkirk, Coventry City, Fleetwood and Pafos? Could it be the fact that he is an ex-Dundee United player?
Certainly, Nelms' last appointment when he brought in ex-United player Jim McIntyre as their manager proved a massive own goal, on and off the park.
Or is it the Strachan factor? Where it is maybe perceived that the technical director has brought in another one of his friends or colleagues he has previously worked with.
The old pals' act.
It didn't really work when Mark McGhee came in although it is fair to say Tony Docherty was successful in his first season.
Whatever the reason or reasons, it has left Pressley behind the eight ball before he even gets started.
He is ready to cut short his silver wedding anniversary to start work early.
It is the love of the Dundee fans he now has to try and win over.
The one thing Elvis has shown throughout his career that he has never been scared of a challenge.
He has played first-team football for Rangers and then later in his career went on to play for Celtic.
It takes a bit of bottle and steel to do that but he did it with some distinction.
Even at Hearts, he was a massive influence and one of the few who, as a player, was willing to stand up to the madcap ways of former owner Vladimir Romanov.
The former Scotland star is also a good communicator and has always been a leader throughout his footballing career.
A lot of his former players have also come out in support of him, claiming he is also a very good coach, even guys like James Maddison have spoken highly of him in the past.
Pressley now has to put all this together and into practice at Dundee. The bottom line is results. If he wins games then that is all that matters.
It doesn't matter if he is Steven Pressley or Pep Guardiola. Results on the pitch are all that matter!
If Dundee win games and are successful then it will be more 'Can't help falling in love' for the Dundee fans towards Pressley.
If he doesn't then it will be a case of Elvis has left the Dens Park building.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
40 minutes ago
- The Independent
Bath boss plays down Finn Russell injury fears after semi-final win over Bristol
Bath boss Johann van Graan has played down injury fears over Finn Russell, insisting that the fly half was just dealing with cramp when he limped off late in the Premiership semi-final win over Bristol. The hosts battled back after a fast and furious first half from Bristol to book their place in the Premiership final for a second straight year, with Russell typically influential in a 34-20 win. The Scotland fly half, set to tour Australia with the British and Irish Lions this summer, helped turn the tide in combination with half-back partner Ben Spencer as Bath powered clear to set up a meeting with either Leicester or Sale next Saturday. The 32-year-old appeared to give Van Graan, and perhaps Lions coach Andy Farrell, reason to fret as he departed before the end of the game sporting a large bruise on his left leg, with the Scot in apparent discomfort even while exchanging verbals with the Bristol team and smiling. But Van Graan has moved to allay worries of an injury, stressing that he expects Russell to be fit as Bath look to end a 29-year wait for a top-flight title. 'Multiple parts of his body are cramping," Van Graan said as his side took a step closer to a possible treble."He put in some effort, I thought. His goalkicking was phenomenal, the chases that he put in too. He was still cramping in the changing room but there's no reason to suppose he won't be fine. "It was amazing how many guys on both sides went down with cramp. It just showed the effort that both teams put in. We worked incredibly hard to get into this position, to get back to Twickenham." Bath were beaten finalists last year, pushing Northampton close at Twickenham despite Beno Obano's early sending off. Their depth was on full display as they rallied to beat their rivals on a raucous Friday night at The Rec, with back rows Guy Pepper, Miles Reid and Ted Hill all producing standout performances even in the absence of the suspended Sam Underhill. The impact of Springboks tighthead Thomas du Toit also proved key, with the South Africa international relieving a possible Lions starter in Will Stuart to further illustrate the options on offer to Van Graan. "That's a Premiership semi-final for you,' the Bath coach explained. 'We knew this was going to be a tough game and we picked a 23 that we believe will get the job done. "I thought at 34-13, we got some momentum but Bristol is a good team. They kept on attacking and it's never dead on 34-20. It was some game of rugby. We knew that we were going to be stretched but we actually defended pretty well. "At half-time we spoke about our game and composure. It shows that we are a team that is fluid and adaptable. We made one or two tactical changes and then our fitness came through, our hunger, our will to win.'
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
16 Sky Sports stars who have left since 2020 as eight more departures confirmed
Sky Sports has seen a bit of a shake-up over the last five years, with a number of presenters, pundits and journalists alike leaving the broadcaster - from household names to behind the scenes staff Sky Sports News has axed seven stars as part of a major shake-up, with a number of famous faces out of a job this summer. The reporters and presenters who faced a moving-on process were informed of the broadcaster's decision in May, with Sky Sports claiming that it came as a creative decision rather than a cost-cutting tactic. Originally launched in 1998, Sky Sports News has become synonymous with around-the-clock news coverage since its inception, but in a digital age, the organisation looks to enhance coverage across a number of platforms as it moves away from what was once strictly a product for television. Speaking to the Daily Mail, a spokesperson for Sky Sports News last month said: "We've shared proposals with the Sky Sports News team to change how we're structured, aimed at making us more agile and better equipped to serve audiences across TV, digital and social. A small number of roles are impacted, and we are now entering a period of consultation with those colleagues." On top of the seven fresh cuts, it is also said that a presenter of 16 years is set to walk away from Sky Sports News this summer, bringing the total number of those moving on to eight. But who are the eight stars who are set to leave the organisation? And who else has left the programme in the past five years? Here Mirror Football breaks it down... Eight familiar faces to leave in fresh wave Paul Gilmore announced last month that he is set to leave the broadcaster after a 16-year stint as a presenter, where he has been instrumental in Sky Sports' transfer coverage. Taking to social media to announce his exit, he wrote: "After 16 brilliant years in N Ireland/London with @SkySportsNews, it's time to leave. "Was proud & grateful to cover major finals, tournaments, 25 Deadline Days, domestic games & become a PL commentator. Thank you to everyone I've worked with over the years. It's been a pleasure." Unlike Gilmore, however, seven other names have been moved on as the broadcasters undergoes a major revamp. Presenter Rob Wotton gave his final farewell during a live appearance late last month, while Melissa Reddy - who has been at the heart of some of Sky's top Premier League stories since joining the team three years ago was also let go. Elsewhere, Teddy Draper and Jasper Taylor are also leaving the channel this summer, after 18 and 11-year stints with Sky, while Jeremy Langdon is also set to end a 20-year association with the organisation. Meanwhile, Senior reporter Fadumo Okow and a news editor will also leave their roles, it is understood. A Soccer Saturday shake-up Jeff Stelling made national headlines when his 29-year hosting duties at Soccer Saturday came to a close at the end of the 2022/23 Premier League season. The Hartlepool-born presenter had been part and parcel of the programme since 1994, the 70-year-old later revealed that his decision came due to the toll his role was taking on his health. Speaking to the Guardian about his exit, Stelling said: "Even though I'd been there a long time, I felt some of my views weren't considered at all. Every week I was fighting a battle. I got tired of fighting and it was making me ill. Eventually, I went to Sky's management and said, 'This is making me unwell. I've got to step away from it.'" He added: "I'm almost ashamed to say it because my dad worked in a steelworks and would come back from his shift covered in grime and muck and absolutely exhausted. He would never have allowed me to say I was shattered after a TV show. But I felt it was making me ill so I had to step away." And while Stelling's departure came as a huge surprise to Soccer Saturday fans up and down the country, it pales compared to the shock decision of Sky Sports axing Matt Le Tissier, Phil Thompson and Charlie Nicholas three years earlier. A statement from Sky Sports at the time said: "We are changing some parts of our football coverage. Matt, Charlie and Phil have done a great job for us over the years, and they will leave us with our sincere thanks and very best wishes." Elsewhere, pundit of 20 years, Tony Cottee was also let go by Sky Sports in 2021, adding to the Soccer Saturday shake-up. Other notable pundits who have come and gone Elsewhere, a whole host of presenters and pundits have left the programme over the past five years. Graeme Souness parted ways with the company back in 2023 after an incredible 15-year career as a pundit following his playing and managerial days, saying at the time: "I was given an opportunity to do this and it was magnificent. "It has just been the most fantastic time for me. I love football, l care about football and l worry about it going forward, but in Sky's hands it is in good hands, it is in safe hands." Bianca Westwood also left Sky Sports the same year, saying on social media: "I haven't quite made enough money to retire unfortunately, but I am retiring from Sky Sports & Soccer Saturday. It's been a phenomenal 22 & a half years & I've been a small part of building the channel into the giant of broadcasting it is today. What a ride! "Being the first female match reporter on Soccer Saturday is something I'm immensely proud of & that can never be taken away from me. I've covered hundreds & hundreds of games, I've interviewed hundreds of players & managers. I've watched hours & hours of football. Years of experience (I said what I said!) that will live with me forever. "For the most part, it's been a blast. I'm grateful to you the viewers for watching over the years & for all your support. To those I've worked with who've been a big part of my life at Sky, you know who you are, thanks for the memories. On to the next chapter. Buzzing for it." Meanwhile, Dickie Davis also left the broadcaster in 2023 after almost 30 years with the organisation. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Bath fight back to beat rivals Bristol in thrilling Premiership semi-final
Bath are heading back to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham for another crack at the Premiership final after running in four tries in a 34-20 victory over Bristol Bears thanks to a powerful second-half performance. But the hosts had spent an anxious first half trying to quell the challenge of their nearest neighbours, whose unique sense of adventure lit up their play-off semi-final. Bristol were 13-6 in front at the break and it could have been more. The try of the match was scored by their lock James Dun after Fiji wing Kalaveti Ravouvou set off from his own line, leaving four Bath defenders in his wake. Guy Pepper started in the Bath back row in the absence of the suspended Sam Underhill, while Cameron Redpath replaced Will Butt at centre. England prop Ellis Genge was recalled to the Bristol pack along with Dun and centurion Steven Luatua. A fast and furious first half opened with a penalty to Bristol which was quickly reversed for some ill-advised verbals. When Bath then laid siege to the visitors' line, Genge was the man who held up the ball to earn a relieving drop-out. Both sides were probing for any advantage they could find and the first points went to Bristol as AJ MacGinty punished Pepper's infringement at a ruck with a straightforward penalty after 12 minutes. When hooker Gabriel Oghre broke clear, Bath had to defend desperately before Ben Spencer eased the anxiety with a long kick upfield. But Ravouvou, collecting the ball near his own line, somehow evaded a quartet of would-be tacklers and the home defence was soon spreadeagled at the other end. Lock Dun eventually cut a simple line to the posts and MacGinty added the conversion for a 10-0 lead. Ravouvou was soon sent to the sin bin for preventing a quick-tapped penalty by Spencer, allowing Finn Russell to pull back three points for Bath but MacGinty immediately replied to make it 13-6 at the break. Losing scrum-half Harry Randall to a shoulder injury just before half-time had not helped Bristol's cause and a Ted Hill try converted by Russell straight after the break brought Bath level. Joe Cokanasiga swooped on a teasing kick ahead by Tom de Glanville to score Bath's third try shortly after to put them ahead for the first time. When Will Muir finished off a prolonged period of pressure by touching down in the left corner and Max Ojomoh added a fifth on the hour, Bath were back in command. With Russell faultless from the tee, the score was suddenly 34-13. Bristol were not about to lie down but very little luck was going their way and they were twice held up over the Bath line. With six minutes left, Benhard Janse van Rensburg finally stretched out to score in the corner and McGinty converted. One concern for Johann van Graan and his men ahead of next weekend's return to Twickenham was Russell limping off after treatment to his left leg.
