Three years of stellar work as Head of Academy Coaching has led to Paul Cowie being appointed Academy Director at the Scottish Premier League club. Football Careers client Paul replaces Andy Goldie who moved to English Championship side Swansea City as Academy Manager in August.

Cowie’s CV shows he has a rock-solid academic background as well as the prowess he brings to his job on the field. Paul is a Master of Educational Leadership and Policy and also holds both the UEFA A Licence and UEFA Elite Youth A Licence.

Now he takes over a crucial role at a Scottish club famed for the conveyor belt of young talent that rolls into their first team. And he said:

”I have really enjoyed my time at Dundee United over the last four years and I am excited to take on the challenge of being Dundee United’s Academy Director.

”Dundee United, as a club, have made massive strides with our Academy in recent years and the passion and commitment of the staff and players will ensure we continue to achieve great things going forward.

”The club’s goal remains the desire to develop talented individuals on and off the park and I am relishing the opportunity to help meet the objectives set by the Owner, the board and the Sporting Director.”

At first team level United have gone through a turbulent start to the season with heavy defeats at home to Celtic and away in Europe against AZ Alkmaar costing Head Coach Jack Ross his job.

Paul’s fellow Football Careers client Liam Fox is now steadying the ship with seven points from the last nine in the Premiership ahead of a League Cup quarter-final clash at Kilmarnock tomorrow night (Tuesday October 18).

The club, though, is one that will always maintain a keen focus on the development of young players. And Sporting Director Tony Asghar stressed:

”Paul’s coaching and leadership abilities are just some of the attributes that allowed the interview panel to make this decision.

”His vision for phase two will be implemented within the Dundee United development system. He will oversee projects such as the continued redevelopment of Gussie Park into a complete Dundee United player development campus; the refurbishment of the player’s lodgings; and the growth and expansion of the club’s international club partnerships.

”The development of academy players remains vital to the club’s long-term strategy. I look forward to working with Paul to continue the success already achieved in such a short time, and everyone at Dundee United wishes him well as he steers our academy into the next chapter of its own unique story.”