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Jim McLean built a footballing dynasty at Dundee United Football Club and created a legacy that endures even now as we enter 2021; nearly 3 decades after departing the managerial hot-seat.

Jim was just 34 when he took charge at Tannadice in 1971 and his footballing philosophy was for Dundee United to produce their own young talent and complement them with more experienced players from around Scotland.

He led the club to their first ever Scottish Cup final in 1974 and in 1979 guided them to their first major honour in the Scottish League Cup. The team retained the trophy the following year. However, the highlight of his tenure is considered the 1982/83 season, where the team fought off challenges from Celtic and Aberdeen to win the title for the first and only time. May 14th 1983, Dens Park. A day that will be forever etched in the history books of Scottish Football and in the memory of everyone associated with Dundee United Football Club. Jim was the manager of Dundee United for 22 years and Chairman for a further 7 years. In 2005 Jim was inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of Fame.

Jim McLean commanded respect throughout Scottish football and enjoyed a playing career before management with Hamilton Academical, Clyde, Dundee and Kilmarnock.

"He was one of the greatest managers in the game and doesn't get the recognition he deserves" - Alex Ferguson

"I took our top Nottingham Forrest team to play in his testimonial game, because he was one of the best." - Brian Clough

Maurice Malpas, who captained the club under Jim McLean, said

"He should be remembered as one of the greatest managers Scotland has ever produced. What he achieved will never be done again. He took a bang-average team at the bottom of the league, flirting with relegation, and took them to a league title and then to the semi-final of the European Cup and the final of the UEFA Cup. That's phenomenal. What he did in Europe was scary. No provincial club will ever repeat that again. The reputation we built, how we played against some of the continents best sides, no one will ever get near that again.

Jock Stein won the European Cup with Celtic but for wee Jim to take Dundee United who he referred to as a corner shop to the semi-final I think puts him up there in the same bracket. He should be remembered as one of the greatest managers Scotland has ever produced."

Jim McLean's family asked that donations to this Just Giving page also be made in memory of Billy McNeill and Frank Kopel, who both also had Alzheimer's disease.

The monies received through this Just Giving page will be donated across two dementia charities:

Alzheimer Scotland, Scotlands leading dementia charity, campaigns for the rights of people with dementia and their families and carers and provides vital support services through a network of Dementia Resource Centres and a 24 hour free Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000); Scotland and

The Billy McNeill Fund, which sits within the Battle Against Dementia charity and was established to provide support to professional football players and their families in Scotland who have been affected by dementia.