After a moderately successful playing career, McLean became coach at Dundee United before becoming manager at the age of 34. He introduced a highly organised policy of youth development and managed to achieve satisfactory mid-table finishes for the first few years as manager. A league cup final defeat was followed in 1975 by a top 4 league finish - the best in their history. Two league cup wins and some success in European competition was followed up with a remarkable league title in 1983, based on the youth players McLean had developed over his period as manager. The club went on to make the European cup semi-finals, losing thanks to a penalty kick at this stage. His place in history was assured and he continued to guide Dundee Utd to top 5 finishes with the drama of a UEFA cup final to come, which was probably the most extraordinary achievement of his career at the club after the league title. He later became a director while remaining as team manager for 21 years. He is the club's most legendary figure by some distance.
British league champions: 1
Foreign league champions: 0
European cup: 0
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