St Mirren axe toiling Stubbs
ALAN STUBBS was last night sacked by St Mirren after a haphazard recruitment policy saw the club lose all momentum gained from their runaway Championship triumph. The former Hibernian and Rotherham boss, who replaced Jack Ross after his defection to
Sunderland in June, lasted just nine games in charge at the Paisley outfit — culminating in a 4-1 drubbing by Hearts last Saturday. Intent on making wholesale changes to the squad Ross had built, Stubbs trawled the lower echelons of the English game for talent. But many of the untested names he signed were plainly not up to the task. Concerned that dressing-room unrest had taken a grip after four straight defeats, the Paisley board last night confirmed Stubbs’ departure just three months into a three-year deal. They made no mention, however, of his backroom staff of Brian Rice and Darren Jackson. ‘St Mirren can confirm that it has parted company with manager Alan Stubbs with immediate effect,’ a statement read. ‘Careful consideration was given to this decision and the search for a new manager will begin immediately.’ Stubbs only won two games in 90 minutes — against Dumbarton in the Betfred Cup and Dundee in the Premiership — with his side requiring penalties to gain a bonus point against Spartans and Queen’s Park in the cup competition. Former Buddies boss Gus MacPherson is a frontrunner to replace Stubbs despite going down to League Two with Queen’s Park last season. Jim McIntyre is also in the frame, although sources close to the former Ross County manager have shot down suggestions he has already been approached. Ex-St Mirren midfielder Jim Goodwin will have support among the fanbase after he led Alloa back to the Championship in May in his first managerial job. Last night, a leading supporter warned that the club faced plummeting like it did under Tommy Craig four years ago if Stubbs hadn’t been dismissed. ‘We could see a lot of things that were giving us bad memories of Tommy Craig,’ said David MacDonald of the blackandwhitearmy.com fans’ site. ‘There’s more to it than results on the pitch. There’s been very poor recruitment and very bad man-management. ‘By all accounts, the players were very unhappy. All of this has completely disintegrated the feelgood factor that was all around the club at the end of last season. It’s gone very quickly.’