Saints search for new manager as Ross heads to Sunderland

St Mirren are on the hunt for a new manager after a day of drama resulted in Jack Ross heading for the Paisley exit to sign up with Sunderland.

Saints last night confirmed they had agreed terms for Ross to make the move to the Black Cats – despite having earlier insisted that no contact had been made between the two clubs, and branding speculation as “nonsense”.

It is believed that the parties then thrashed out terms over the course of the afternoon.

Ross now has to iron out his own terms with Sunderland in a deal which could see him rake in up to five times his current salary.

A club statement read: “St Mirren Football Club can confirm we received an approach from Sunderland AFC for permission to speak to our manager Jack Ross.

“After agreeing to our terms we have reluctantly given them permission to speak to Jack about their vacant manager’s position.”

It is believed that the St Mirren boss had a £ 100,000 clause that would free him from his deal with the Buddies. Suggestions that Sunderland would only be forking out £ 50,000 for his services were wide of the mark.

However, it is understood the St Mirren board held out for more than the £100,000.

The saga brings an end to weeks of speculation surrounding the future of Ross, who had been heavily linked with taking over the vacant hotseat at English Championship side Ipswich Town.

On a dramatic day for the club, Saints chiefs were surprised when new Sunderland owner Stewart Donald – who only completed his takeover on Monday – stated that the Tyne and Wear club had agreed terms with a new manager.

Reports confirmed that Ross, the recently crowned PFA Manager of the Year, had agreed a two-year contract with the League One outfit with the view to an additional third to replace Chris Coleman at the Stadium of Light.

But the manner of Sunderland’s dealings left St Mirren chairman Gordon Scott raging.

He said the only way Sunderland could have spoken with Ross before contacting Saints was if there was some “skulduggery” going on.

But despite Scott not being made aware of the approach, it is understood that Ross had agreed terms with Sunderland.

Scott said: “There has been no contact from Sunderland with us and Jack is on holiday, so unless there is some major skulduggery going on, then it’s nonsense.

“To hold talks with Jack, we would have to grant permission, as has been the case with Ipswich and Barnsley recently.

“But we’ve had no contact from Sunderland at all.”