In a brief statement, Eddie Thompson expressed his sadness at this turn of events.

“I find this an extremely sad day as Ian McCall was well respected at this club. I and my board wish him well for the future,” he said.

“We will now draw up a list of suitable managerial candidates, including Gordon Chisholm for consideration.

“Meanwhile, Gordon will take charge of the team in the interim and will continue to be assisted by Tony Docherty. I am sure all United fans will get behind him and the players during this difficult period.”

Who the new permanent manager will be is not yet clear. But names linked with the post include former Dundee boss and one-time Tangerines coach Jocky Scott, as well as men with stronger links with the club.

Although he was dismissed as assistant manger to make way for McCall, the work done by Maurice Malpas at Motherwell since means his name has to be in the frame.

So, too, is that of his boss at Fir Park, England legend Terry Butcher, although he has recently signed a new two-year contract with the Steelmen.

If the matter is not resolved before the end of the season, another attempt could also be made to lure Paul Sturrock from Sheffield Wednesday for a second spell in charge of the team he won the league with as a player.

When McCall was almost axed in the wake of the CIS Cup humiliation, Sturrock was the man the board wanted. But he felt it would not have been right to leave Sheffield after just a few months there.

It does seem likely that Chisholm will be in charge for the weekend clash with Celtic.

Within minutes of the final whistle sounding on Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Kilmarnock, which saw the Tangerines crash to the bottom of the SPL, McCall admitted privately he feared the worst.

His concerns were confirmed in conversations with his chairman yesterday and, first thing this morning, the United directors gathered at Tannadice to make his departure after little over two years into the job official.

It was an agonising decision for Thompson, who has enjoyed a good personal relationship with the man he paid big money to Falkirk for in January 2003.

And, while the football statistics have forced the chairman’s hand, his friendship with his manager has made the last 48 hours his most difficult since he took control at United.

However, facing up to a loss of as much as £1.6 million if his club spend even a single season out of Scottish football’s top flight, Thompson feels he has been left with no choice.

Since he and his board first raised concerns about team performances and the league position back at the beginning of December, there has been little sign of improvement in the SPL.

By mid-afternoon there was still no sign of the deposed manager leaving Tannadice for the last time.

Club spokesman Malcolm Brown indicated that neither Ian McCall or chairman Eddie Thompson were planning to make any further statements today. It appeared discussions over the exact detail of McCall’s severance agreement were taking time to thrash out.

That there was still serious talking to be done seemed to be confirmed when the former manager’s agent, Raymond Sparks arrived for a meeting with his client. The playing staff had also been instructed not to discuss the day’s events with the Press or media.

The first thing he did was express sadness for the man with whom he’s worked at Clydebank, Airdrie and Falkirk as well as United.

“I’d like to say that I am disappointed with the events of today,” he said.

“Ian is a close personal friend and I have known him well for many years.”

“I know he will bounce back but I am very sad about this. The pressure has been telling on him recently, and I think he’ll take a break before getting back into things.”

Before accepting the offer to become interim manager, Chisholm discussed the matter with McCall, who urged him to jump at the chance and, despite the unfortunate circumstances of his elevation, he was quick to focus on the job that lay ahead.

“The important thing now is not me or anyone else, it is Dundee United and making sure they stay in the Premier League.

“I’ve spoken to the players and, obviously, they are a bit disappointed and quiet today. But they know they have to give 110% for Dundee United.”

At that, Chisholm departed to take his first training session and begin preparations for the weekend clash with Celtic.

And, although he may have to take things easy for another couple of days, he should be in full training by the time the end of the week comes.

Meanwhile, although he is not one for excuses when his team loses, boss Jim Duffy felt two substitutions yesterday provided a perfect demonstration of what provincial clubs are up against when they face the Old Firm.

“We were doing well in the game and forced Rangers into a change, while, because he was not 100% fit, we had to take off Tam McManus when he tired in the second half,” said Jim.

“When Rangers had to make their change, they brought on Thomas Bufell, who cost them over £2 million in January, while we sent on young Scott Robertson.

“Scott is a very good prospect and we rate him highly. But, earlier, he was on loan at Peterhead and that shows the difference between the resources of the two clubs.”