Former Motherwell, Derby County and Finland midfielder Seamus Valakari has been appointed as St Johnstone’s new head coach.
The McDiarmid Park membership have been looking for a substitute for Craig Levein after sacking him two weeks in the past.
St Johnstone have held talks with former Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs midfielder Scott Brown, who has chosen to signal a brand new cope with Ayr United.
Craig Levein sacked by St Johnstone after 4 consecutive defeats after simply 10 months in cost
Aberdeen assistant Peter Lewin has additionally spoken to St Johnstone, whereas talks with Larne boss Tiernan Lynch have damaged down.
Saints then introduced in Varakari – who is believed to have impressed the membership’s bosses throughout his preliminary interview – and negotiated his transfer away from Riga.
Valakari performed for Motherwell between 1996 and 2000
The 51-year-old Valakari took over Riga halfway by means of final season and led the group to the Latvian Tremendous Cup. He beforehand gained the Finland Cup with KuPS in 2021 and 2022 and gained three trophies with the Finnish Nationwide Major Faculty. .
St Johnstone are tenth within the Scottish Premiership, two factors above the underside group, having gained simply one in every of their seven league video games this season.
Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland will stay in cost heading into this weekend’s conflict with Rangers at Ibrox.
sky sports activities information The membership’s American homeowners are understood to be impressed by Valakari’s information of the present squad and are already scouting potential free brokers to affix the squad forward of the January switch window.
Valakari: I see potential in St Johnstone
After signing, Valakari mentioned: “I’m delighted, excited and proud that St Johnstone have appointed me as head coach.
“We’ve got a whole lot of alternatives to make this an thrilling journey and an important factor is that we’re all on this collectively – the gamers, the employees and most significantly the followers.
“As I speak to the homeowners and the soccer division, I am very enthusiastic about this challenge. I have a look at our whole group and our gamers. After all, the latest outcomes have not been as optimistic as we might have appreciated, however I see the place we’re The gamers right here have a whole lot of potential.
St Johnstone boss Adam Webb mentioned: “Seamus has been promoted to the highest job following an intensive recruitment course of and interviews with a number of excellent candidates.
“He has an distinctive imaginative and prescient for the way forward for St Johnstone. Seamus’ expertise, enthusiasm and creativity will serve us properly within the years to return.”
St Johnstone’s next six games
- Rangers (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 6
- Ross County (H) – Scottish Premiership – October 19
- Dundee (away) – Scottish Premiership – October 26
- St Mirren (A) – Scottish Premiership – October 30
- Hearts(h) – Scottish Premiership – November 2
- Motherwell (a) – Scottish Premiership – November 9
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