I’LL BE YOUR SAINT PAULO
Sergio wants Buddies job
Former Hearts manager Paulo Sergio has thrown his hat in the ring for the St Mirren hotseat as applications rain in from across the continent.
Express Sport understands that the Scottish Cup-winning manager is among a host of applicants hoping to be considered for the position vacated by Sunderlandbound Jack Ross at the end of last week.
More than 30 managers have signalled their interest in the job, but as Express Sport revealed yesterday, Saints look set to take their time over making any appointment.
Club chiefs are expected to welcome applications for the role for the remainder of this week, before whittling down the candidates and starting the formal interview process at the beginning of next week.
Portuguese gaffer Sergio has been without a job since departing UAE side Dibba Al-Fujairah in 2017, but boasts an impressive CV which also includes stints with Sporting Lisbon and Vitória de Guimarães in his homeland.
He is best known on these shores for a successful spell in charge of Hearts between 2011 and 2012, where he signed off with a famous 5- 1 win over Edinburgh rivals Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final.
However, he was to reject a new contract with the club at the end of the season and departed following just 47 league games in charge.
The 50-year-old has since led a nomadic existence having pitched up in Romania, Cyprus, Portugal and the UAE in recent seasons.
With a number applicants already making their interest known to the club, Sergio faces stiff competition from a host of prospective rivals.
Paul Lambert and Robbie Neilson remain the frontrunners to replace Ross in the dugout, with both believed to be favoured by the Saints board.
Former Ross County boss Jim McIntyre, and Livingston gaffer David Hopkin are also being considered for the position.