By Robbie Herbison

Jim Goodwin has had a rollercoaster of a managerial career. From the highs of European victories at Dundee United - to the lows of being defeated by junior team Darvel when at Aberdeen. It may come off the tracks once again.

Goodwin arrived at United at the tail end of the 2022/23 season, following a torrid time at Aberdeen. The tangerines were already condemned to relegation when he arrived, so his job began in the following season, attempting to rebuild the United team.

United won the championship in a canter under Goodwin’s direction and their fine form continued into the premiership. Pundits and fans alike expected United to struggle in the 2024/25 season, but they took extremely well to their return to premiership football.

Signings such as Luca Stephenson, Ryan Strain and Sam Dalby lead them to a 4th place finish, securing European football. Dalby was vital to their success, scoring 14 goals in the league season, finishing 3rd in the top goalscorers list.

Sam Dalby by Paul Devlin - SNS Group via Getty Images

Dalby was only on loan for the season, and they were unable to convince him to stay north of the border for the 25/26 season.

The loss of Dalby seemed to be the start of things going wrong for Goodwin, but that thought was shut down after their exceptional European performances. Two 1-0 victories over Luxembourgian side, UNA Strassen saw them go through to play Austrian giants, SK Rapid Wien.

A couple of 2-2 draws against the Austrians with new striker Zac Sapsford performing superbly in both games was to follow. Their European dream was then ended on penalties. They made a great impression in Europe, despite their loss, leading to fans and pundits expecting another great season for the Arabs.

What was to follow in the 2025/26 season was the opposite. United currently sit 8th in the premiership, with only Livingston, Kilmarnock, Dundee, and St. Mirren below them - all sides with a much lower playing budget than them.

United made a whopping 18 signings in the summer of 2025. How much say Goodwin really had in these signings is up for debate, with many United fans blaming the chairman, Mark Ogren for their recent failures. £13m has been piled into the club since Ogren took over in 2018.

Dundee United vs Hibs 4/2/2026 by Rob Casey - SNS Group via Getty Images

Despite this, Goodwin cannot get off completely scot-free. With the squad they have and the money they have spent, United should, at the very least, be competing with Falkirk for a top six finish.

United have looked tepid, uninterested, and well below the required level in recent weeks. A 3-0 loss to Hearts on Saturday night, in which United were reduced to nine men following two red cards, shows he has lost the dressing room.

The players are getting frustrated with their own performance, but it is up to Goodwin to help them manage their emotions. On Wednesday evening, United were 2-1 up against Hibs and seemed to be on their way to their first league victory of 2026, when they capitulated in dramatic fashion.

Hibs scored two preventable goals in the 89th and 93rd minute to win the match 3-2. A good old fashioned Hibsing from United. This meant that United now only have one win in seven league games.

Goodwin’s publicly available reaction to the match was vociferous, calling his players “pathetic” and “embarrassing” for the way they lost. What a way to get the players back on your side, Jim!

The Tannadice side have fallen well below the fans’ required standards and expectations so far this season. Goodwin will know he is under pressure from fans and board alike, the situation must improve at the earliest possible moment.

Is his time up or are the Nigerians onto something when they use the term ‘Dundee United’ to mean stupid or idiot?

Jim Goodbye? Is Goodwin’s Time at United Coming to an End?