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Mixu Paatelainen: Dundee United appoint Finn as new manager
Dundee United have appointed their former striker Mixu Paatelainen as head coach.
The 48-year-old Finn played at Tannadice between 1987 and 1992.
He has managerial experience in Scotland with Cowdenbeath, Hibernian and Kilmarnock and succeeds Jackie McNamara in the United dugout.
"I am delighted to welcome Mixu back to the club as our new head coach," United chairman Stephen Thompson told the club website.
"He served United with distinction as a player and will do the same as a manager. His desire to come back to the club was clear from the first minute we spoke. He was the first person we spoke to and also the last.
"His experience combined with his vision and enthusiasm for the club made him the standout candidate and we are thrilled to announce his appointment."
United had approaches for St Johnstone's Tommy Wright andInverness Caledonian Thistle's John Hughes rejected by their respective clubs.
Paatelainen was sacked by Finland in June after more than four years in charge of the national side, a job that followed his spell at Killie.
The former Finland striker, who earned 70 international caps, has also had a spell in charge of TPS in his homeland.
During his 20-year playing career, Paatelainen also featured for Haka, Aberdeen, Bolton Wanderers, Wolves, Hibs, Strasbourg, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Cowdenbeath.
Starting his managerial career at Central Park, he led Cowdenbeath to the old Third Division title.
However, despite leading Hibs to a top-six finish in Scotland's top flight, he received criticism for the style of play from the Edinburgh side's fans and left by mutual consent after 18 months.
He also helped Kilmarnock to a top-six finish in his single season at Rugby Park and was named the Scottish football writers' manager of the year despite having left to become Finland's head coach before the end of the campaign.
McNamara departed Tannadice with his side second bottom of the Scottish Premiership and they have since slipped to the foot of the table.
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It has started exactly as poorly as it was to be expected. Fired by xmas?
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