Brewster Agrees To Switch

Craig Brewster has committed himself to the least secure position in Scottish football by agreeing to become Dundee United’s fifth manager in less than four years.

The 39-year-old Inverness Caledonian Thistle player-manager was granted permission by his current employers to speak to United chairman Eddie Thompson yesterday, the Highland club having rejected the initial approach from the Tannadice outfit’s owner on Tuesday following the sacking of Gordon Chisholm.

Brewster will now hope that a deal can be struck over compensation, so that he can return to the hometown club he supported as a boy, and where he enjoyed considerable success as a player.

Brewster insisted he was not fazed by the revolving-door nature of the United post which has seen Eddie Thompson jettison Alex Smith, Paul Hegarty, Ian McCall and Chisholm since October 2002.

‘Not at all,’ said Brewster. ‘I can’t speak for those guys, I can only speak for myself. I’m confident in what we have done up here and that’s all I can go on really.

‘I’m not a person who comes in and demands this, that and the next thing. I believe I can get the best out of players. If you get the best out of players and they are still not good enough, then you have to address that. I think Dundee United need one or two players but if I do go there, I have to work with the guys already there and give them every chance to do well.

‘I know the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere. I know Eddie has sacked four managers in less than four years, but I also know that there is definitely huge potential at United. They have a great fan base. I was a United fan as a boy and I have always looked out for their results wherever I have been. My best mates are United supporters.

‘United were immense in the 1980s and supporters sometimes expect that to be repeated again. We are in a different era now, though, and reality has to come into play.’

If Brewster takes the job, he will also be able to play for United as the move would take place during the current transfer window, but he said that would not influence him in any way.

‘I still enjoy playing, but it won’t really be a factor in my decision,’ he said.

Graeme Bennett, director of football at Inverness, stressed that his club would only sanction Brewster’s departure if suitable recompense is agreed for both him and his assistant Thomson, who are under contract until 2007.

‘If Craig is adamant he does wish to go, then our board is mindful to grant him his release,’ said Bennett, ‘but only on the basis of a satisfactory compensation payment being agreed.’