Next Dundee manager contenders

We assess the contenders to become the next Dundee manager following the sacking of Tony Docherty.

Shaun Maloney

Former Celtic and Scotland attacking midfielder Shaun Maloney has emerged as an early frontrunner for the Dundee job following the sacking of Tony Docherty.

42-year-old Maloney's most recent managerial role was at Wigan Athletic, with the Scotsman sacked in March 2025 with the Latics flirting with relegation danger in League One.

Maloney has managed in Scotland before, enduring a difficult four months in charge of Hibernian between December 2021 and April 2022.

A five-time Scottish Premier League winner with Celtic as a player, Maloney was previously close to taking on the managerial position at Dundee in May 2022 but an agreement was not reached.

The links between former Aston Villa man and Dundee may be explained by Gordon Strachan's role of Technical Director at Dens Park, with the ex-Scotland and Celtic manager having worked closely with Maloney during his playing days.

Stuart Kettlewell

Stuart Kettlewell is another potential candidate who could be of interest to Dundee as they pursue a replacement for the outgoing Docherty.

40-year-old Kettlewell has experience of managing two clubs in the Scottish Premiership having previously been in charge at both Ross County and Motherwell.

Departing Motherwell in January 2025 with the club sat in fifth place in Scotland's top flight, Kettlewell will likely be keen for a new opportunity in management as soon as possible with the Dundee job perhaps an ideal route back into the game.

Steven Naismith

Steven Naismith is another young Scottish manager who is out of work and could therefore be of interest to Dundee's hierarchy.

Former Scotland international Naismith, who played under Dundee Technical Director Strachan during his international career, left his role as Hearts manager in September 2024.

A highly-rated young coach, Naismith could be presented with an opportunity to return to management in the Scottish Premiership as Dundee attempt to piece together their plans for the 2025/26 campaign.

Robbie Neilson

Another possible candidate who Dundee would not be forced to fork out compensation for is ex-Hearts captain and manager Robbie Neilson.

44-year-old Neilson was relieved of his duties as Tampa Bay Rowdies boss in April and may now be eyeing up a job back in his homeland.

Neilson achieved success as Hearts boss across two spells as the club's manager - winning the Scottish Championship title twice with the Jambos in 2015 and 2021 - whilst achieving the same feat at Dundee's city rivals United in 2020.

Scott Brown

A possible candidate for the Dundee hotseat with links to Strachan, ex-Celtic and Scotland captain Scott Brown could be primed for a move to Dens Park.

Currently in charge of Ayr United, Brown led the Ayrshire outfit to the Scottish Premiership play-offs quarter-finals before succumbing to a Brian Graham-inspired Partick Thistle.

Brown appears to be an ambitious young manager with the prospect of a Scottish Premiership job likely to be alluring to the Celtic legend.

Neil Lennon

A vastly experienced manager at Scottish Premiership level, Neil Lennon could be enticed by the opportunity to manage Dundee in Scotland's top flight.

Former Celtic boss Lennon is currently manager of Dunfermline in the Scottish Championship but could be convinced to jump ship should The Dee come calling.

In charge of Celtic in two separate stints, Lennon has won five national league titles as Hoops manager.

Temuri Ketsbaia

One former Dundee player who could be tempted by the vacant managerial position at the club is Georgian Temuri Ketsbaia.

Making 22 appearances for Dundee between 2001 and 2002, Ketsbaia is currently out of work in management having left the Cyprus national team in September 2024.

Former Newcastle United player Ketsbaia has a number of notable roles on his managerial CV including Olympiacos, the Georgian national team, APOEL and AEK Athens, with the 57-year-old perhaps an attractive left-field option for the Dark Blues as they seek a new boss.

Charlie Adam

A man with a strong affiliation with Dundee having finished his playing career at Dens Park, Charlie Adam could be tempted to return back north of the border for the managerial job with his boyhood club.

Adam made his first foray into management with Fleetwood Town but was relieved of his position in December 2024.

Previously working at Burnley as part of Vincent Kompany's backroom staff, Adam is currently employed as Everton's set-piece coach under David Moyes.

Despite his current role at Everton, the opportunity to return to Dundee as manager would likely be too enticing for Adam to turn down.