SAINTS ARE POISED TO APPOINT A NEW GAFFER... AND IT COULD
Craig Ritchie
This house is a circus.
Never before has a manager hunt been so mental, so enjoyable, and so frustrating at the same time.
Names have come and gone. Robbie Neilson, Jim Goodwin, David Hopkin, Paul Lambert and... well... Patrick Kluivert have all ruled themselves out the running.
Did you ever think you would see the day that a Real Madrid legend would be linked with the St Mirren job? Well, in Guti he has been as well.
Murmurs of Benni McCarthy, Paulo Sergio and Gordan Petric have only served to add a little continental flavour to the mix, although how serious, or how seriously considered, these names were is for the board to know.
It now seems that we are almost back to where we started, with the exception of Northern Irishman, Oran Kearney.
Gary Caldwell, Jim McIntyre, and Alan Stubbs have also been spoken to.
Bear in mind there could still be some twist and turns still to come, and some other names may drop into the mix. But as things stand these are the names that are at the front, although Express Sport understands Alan Stubbs is set to be named as the new boss.
So let’s have a look at the candidates...
Name: Alan Stubbs. Age: 46. Playing career: Bolton Wanderers, Celtic, Everton, Sunderland and Derby County. Management career: Hibernian, Rotherham United. Management honours: Scottish Cup 2016.
Stubbs, who appears favourite for the job, could be an interesting proposition for the Buddies board if they are impressed by what he has to say.
Stubbs undoubtedly did a good job in his first senior management role at Hibs, although ultimately fell just short of bringing the Edinburgh side back into the top flight on two occasions with Hearts and Rangers in the league.
All was forgiven by the Hibees support as Stubbs would lead them to a famous Scottish Cup triumph in 2016 after a lastgasp goal from David Gray sparked mass jubilation at Hampden to beat Rangers 3-2.
Stubbs wouldn’t stick around, with a move back to England too big to turn down for the former Celtic and Everton defender as he pitched up at Rotherham United.
However, his stint in South Yorkshire quickly turned sour after he managed to pick up just one win on 14 games before being sacked following just two months in the job.
Stubbs has been an outside bet from the outset having been linked with a number of jobs since his departure from The Millers, but he remains in contention to rock up at Paisley.
Name: Gary Caldwell. Age: 36. Playing career: Newcastle United, Darlington, Coventry City, Derby County, Hibernian, Celtic and Wigan Athletic. Management career: Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield. Management honours: English League One 2016, LMA League One Manager of the Year 2016.
Gary Caldwell needs little introduction following a playing career that saw him earn more than 50 caps for Scotland, star in the Champions League, an FA Cup final winner, and also bagged a famous winner against France.
However, his management career has so far been a little understated and a move back north of the border might suit the young manager at this point. He made a riproaring start to life as Wigan manager as they romped to the League One title two years ago, bouncing back from relegation to go straight back up.
His work at the DW Stadium was recognised with a Manager of the Year award but a disappointing start to life in the Championship saw him given the boot.
He quickly pitched up at Chesterfield in the January of the same year, where he worked with new St Mirren signing Paul McGinn.
But it proved to be a disaster for Caldwell as he failed to halt the decline and they were ultimately relegated. He was dismissed at the start of the following season after just three wins in 29 games.
Name: Jim McIntyre.