GOING DUTCH
Legend Kluivert in job talks
St Mirren could be going Dutch after Netherlands legend Patrick Kluivert held initial talks with the Paisley side.
Express Sports understands the former Barcelona and Ajax striker, who won the Champions League with the Eredivisie giants in 1995, held initial talks with Buddies chiefs via videolink yesterday afternoon as they ramp up their search for their new manager.
Kluivert’s CV was a late arrival to the club but the board were keen to hear what the exNetherlands assistant manager had to say.
The 41- year- old, who starred 79 times for the Netherlands and scored on 40 occasions, has coached a number of sides at youth team level.
He was most recently director of football with French champions Paris St Germain but left the role in July 2017 after less than a year.
Kluivert has held a number of coaching roles, taking in stints at AZ Alkmaar, FC Twente and Australian outfit Brisbane Roar.
He joined the Dutch national side’s coaching staff in 2012 where he would act as Louis van Gaal’s assistant manager at the World Cup in 2014.
Most recently he was in charge of the Curacao national side, where he led them to six victories in his 12 games in charge of the Caribbean side.
Saints are still on the hunt for a successor to Jack Ross, who joined Sunderland last month having led the Buddies to promotion.
The club have already sat down with a number of candidates, with former Hibs manager Alan Stubbs first up yesterday morning.
Former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell then met with club chiefs last night.
Robbie Neilson had been set to sit down for talks with the club but pulled out of the running despite being favourite to land the job.
Coleraine gaffer Oran Kearney will now meet with club bosses today, as will former Ross County manager Jim McIntyre.
Kearney’s name came out of virtually nowhere at the end of last week after being recommended to the Saints board by Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill.
Having been crowned Manager of the Year at the Northern Ireland Football Awards, having led the Bannsiders to Irish Cup glory, and finishing runners-up in the Danske Bank Premiership, the 39- year- old has been moved into favourite position by with the bookmakers.
However, it is understood that reports linking Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon with the position are unfounded.
The board are hopeful of coming to a decision towards the end of this week.