Jim Goodwin: I'd love the opportunity to sort Dundee United out

Jim Goodwin would welcome the chance to continue as Dundee United manager despite the club facing likely relegation from the Premiership this weekend.

A 3-0 defeat to Kilmarnock at Tannadice on Wednesday means United trail Ross County by three points at the bottom of the table with just one game to go.

The Tangerines would need to defeat Motherwell at Fir Park on Sunday, while County would need to lose to Kilmarnock, with an eight-goal swing in goal difference for an unlikely escape from automatic relegation.

Whoever is in charge next season looks set to be planning a bid for promotion from the Championship and Goodwin wants to take on that challenge.

“For me I’d love the opportunity to sort things out here because this is a really good club, a big club with fantastic ambitions,” he said.

“We know where the issues are, where they have been and what we have to strengthen.”

Goodwin came in on a short-term contract in March as United’s third manager of the season after Jack Ross and Liam Fox and initially looked like he may be able to guide the team to safety. Despite that early optimism being replaced with a run of disappointing results, he is keen to remain with the club past the summer.

United owner Mark Ogren, who flew in from America ahead of Wednesday’s game, now has a decision to make on who will lead the team and will have talks with Goodwin.

“Let’s see what the future holds,” the manager said.

“The chairman is here, I am really disappointed for him – he’s invested heavily in the club and nobody can argue with the financial investment he’s made.

“There hasn’t been enough payback on the park for what he’s put in.

“I will sit down with him and we’ll have a chat to see what the future holds for me and for Dundee United.

“I have loved my time here, it might sound ridiculous saying it, but the people here have been different class.

“So many good things are happening off the park but unfortunately things on the pitch, where it matters most, it hasn’t shown that and as a group it hasn’t been good enough.”