Dundee United’s search for a new manager is over with interim boss Liam Fox having been installed in the Tannadice hot seat on a permanent basis.

The 38-year-old has done well enough since stepping up following Jack Ross’ sacking to earn a crack at the job and has signed a two-year deal. Stevie Crawford has left his manager’s role at East Fife to become Fox’s No. 2.

Fox had been in interim charge for three games since Ross’ exit in the wake of the humiliating 9-0 loss at home to Celtic and guided United into the last eight of the Scottish League Cup, and has a draw and a defeat to his name in the league.

“I’m absolutely delighted to be given the opportunity to lead this outstanding football club. It’s a massive honour and privilege,” he said. “I’m looking forward to putting a team on the park that the supporters can be proud of. We have made some small steps in the last few weeks and it’s now about getting that winning feeling back.

“I know how much the supporters at this club crave success. They, quite rightly, want a team that is fully committed to the cause every week and it’s over to us, as a coaching staff, and the players to achieve that.

“This group of players have real potential and quality. It’s down to us to find consistency in our performances to deliver the success that we all want. I’m also delighted to have Stevie on board as my assistant.

“He’s a brilliant human being, a real football man and he has real experience in the game. He’s been a manager and has worked at big clubs with big expectations.

“I’ve known Stevie a long time and I have enormous respect for him as a coach. He cares deeply about developing players and teams and will be a real asset to Dundee United.”

Fox worked under Ross at Tannadice, and was also David Martindale’s No. 2 at Livingston having been a coach at Hearts. He has a tough job on his hands with the team rooted to the bottom of the Premiership with just two points from the opening seven matches of the season.

Given his inexperience, many fans will see the appointment as something of a risk with United desperate for a run of form to haul themselves off the bottom of the table.

While Fox will presumably be a cheaper option for United, the club will also point to the success of another young coach Tam Courts, who guided the Tangerines to a fourth place finish in the league – their highest finish for nine years – and a first appearance in Europe for a decade before leaving in June to manage in Hungary.