Former Celts on shortlist for Dens Park job

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The Celtic Star

·28 May 2025

Former Celts on shortlist for Dens Park job

Former Celtic players Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are both in the running for Dundee’s vacant managerial position…

Brendan Rodgers shakes hands with Scott Brown, whilst Neil Lennon pats him on the back Celtic v Hibernian, Scottish Cup, Quarter Final, Football, Celtic Park on 9 March 2025. Photo: Stuart Wallace Shutterstock

Tony Docherty’s tenure in the northeast came to an unexpected end last week following a sudden decision by the club and owner John Nelms.

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In his debut season in charge, the 54-year-old led the Dens Park side to a spot in the Scottish Premiership’s top six.

However, shortly after completing his second season, he was dismissed – even though he had steered Dundee clear of the relegation play-off on the final day of the campaign at McDiarmid Park.

Gordon Strachan manager of Scotland looks on prior to the EURO 2016 Group D Qualifier match between Scotland and Republic of Ireland at Celtic Park on November 14, 2014. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Dundee are now searching for a new manager, with technical adviser Gordon Strachan and general manager John Nelms reportedly heading the recruitment process.

Reports this week suggest that five names are in contention for the role: Shaun Maloney, Scott Brown, Charlie Adam, Temuri Ketsbaia, and Andy Woodman.

With Strachan’s links to Celtic, it is conceivable that he has his eyes on Maloney or Brown to become the long-term successor of Docherty in the City of Discovery.

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney looks on during the Sky Bet League One match between Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town at DW Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Wigan. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images)

Maloney’s latest managerial role was with Wigan Athletic, where he spent more than two years and oversaw over 100 games. The 42-year-old also had a stint in charge of Hibernian and served as Roberto Martinez’s assistant with the Belgian national team.

As for Broony, he is now in his second job as a manager, having led Fleetwood for more than a year before taking over at Ayr United in January 2024.

Scott Brown, Ayr United manager is interviewed as Victor Wanyama of Dunfermline Athletic walks by Ayr United v Dunfermline,Scottish Championship, Somerset Park, Ayr, 29 March 2025. Photo Garry McHarg, Shutterstock

This season, Ayr narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs for the Scottish Premiership, exiting the play-offs in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate defeat to Partick Thistle.

Brown and Maloney shared the pitch as teammates at Celtic Park for a span of three years and it looks like they could be going head-to-head to become the next manager of Dundee.

Conor Spence

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Former Celts on shortlist for Dens Park job | OneFootball

Former Celts on shortlist for Dens Park job

Former Celtic players Shaun Maloney and Scott Brown are both in the running for Dundee’s vacant managerial position…

OneFootball Videos

Celtic

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