Dundee United chairman opens talks with Peter Houston over new contract

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson says he has opened talks to keep manager Peter Houston at the club.

The Scotland assistant manager has one year left on his current contract and after leading the club to fourth in the SPL table last term, Thompson wants the 53-year-old to stay at Tannadice.

He said: “There have been initial discussions and I’m now speaking to his representatives and we’re in talks and we’ll see where that goes.

“I’d like Peter to stay if we can agree the right terms that suit both parties.”

Houston took charge of the Terrors on a temporary basis in December 2009 when Craig Levein took over the Scotland national job.

He led the club as they won the Scottish Cup in May 2010, beating Ross County 3-0 at Hampden.

And Thompson feels the former Hearts coach has grown into the role.

He added: “Peter is very much his own man now. I think initially he was in the shadow of Craig [Levein] but he’s very much the manager and I’m delighted with the way we finished the end of last season.

“It’s very much his team and even with the signings we made recently, we’re a settled team and club.

“I think stability is very, very important. Peter will have been at this club for six years in October so that’s a long time and means we can plan.

“We’ve got a training base at St Andrews and all I need now is the fans to back us with season tickets.”

At the weekend Houston called on the club’s board to remain patient as he prepares to rebuild his team this summer.

He found himself under pressure in October last year after his team’s early season struggles following the loss of several key players.

Houston added he expects his board to act differently this time around and allow him to develop the squad.

Despite those comments, Thompson doesn’t sense any discontent from the Baillieston-born coach.

He added: “I know he [Peter] is happy here. We’re very open with each other these days and yeah I think he is happy but I don’t know how ambitious he is.

“I don’t know what he wants, I can’t think inside his head but no we’re pleased the way things are and I think he’s looking forward to European football again as well.

“I think a lot of things happened in the press when I was away which didn’t help things. I didn’t want to make decisions from 3,500 miles away.

“The day I came back we put a statement out saying we were backing the manager and he’s got the full support of the board.

“We’re working as well as we can together and I think that’s a really good relationship at the moment.”

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