Simo Valakari Appointed St Johnstone's New Manager Following Craig Levein's Departure

Simo Valakari Takes Charge as St Johnstone's New Manager

In a significant move for the Scottish Premiership club, St Johnstone has appointed former Motherwell, Derby, and Finland midfielder Simo Valakari as their new manager. This decision follows the recent sacking of Craig Levein, which occurred two weeks ago.

Search for a New Manager

The club had initially engaged in talks with several candidates, including former Celtic, Aberdeen, and Hibs midfielder Scott Brown. However, Brown opted to extend his contract with Ayr United instead.

Additionally, Aberdeen's assistant manager Peter Leven was considered, but discussions did not yield results with Larne boss Tiernan Lynch. Ultimately, Valakari emerged as the preferred choice after impressing club executives during his interview.

Valakari's Management Experience

Valakari, who is 51 years old, previously managed Riga FC, where he took charge midway through the last season. Under his leadership, Riga secured the Latvian Supercup. Prior to that, he enjoyed notable success with KuPS, winning the Finnish Cup in 2021 and 2022, along with three trophies at SJK in Finland.

Current Standing and Future Plans

St Johnstone currently resides in 10th place in the Scottish Premiership and is only two points clear of the relegation zone, having achieved just one victory in seven league matches this season. To assist Valakari in his transition, interim management will continue, with Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland overseeing the upcoming match against Rangers.

According to Sky Sports News, Valakari's depth of knowledge regarding the current squad impressed the club's American owners. Efforts are now underway to identify available free agents to bolster the team's roster ahead of the January transfer window.

Valakari's Vision for St Johnstone

Upon signing his contract, Valakari expressed his enthusiasm about this new chapter with St Johnstone: "I am very happy, very excited and very proud that St Johnstone have made me their head coach. We have so many opportunities to make this an exciting journey and the most important thing is that we are all in this together - the players, the staff, and most importantly, the fans."

He acknowledged the team's recent struggle with results but emphasized his belief in the potential of the current squad.

St Johnstone Owner's Statement

Owner Adam Webb commented on Valakari's appointment: "Simo rose to the top after an extensive hiring process and interviews with several great candidates. He has a remarkable vision for the future of St Johnstone. Simo's experience, enthusiasm, and creativity will serve us well in the years ahead."

Upcoming Fixtures for St Johnstone

• Rangers (h) - Scottish Premiership - October 6
• Ross County (h) - Scottish Premiership - October 19
• Dundee (a) - Scottish Premiership - October 26
• St Mirren (a) - Scottish Premiership - October 30
• Hearts (h) - Scottish Premiership - November 2
• Motherwell (a) - Scottish Premiership - November 9

St Johnstone is set to face a challenging schedule ahead, and all eyes will be on how Valakari navigates his inaugural matches.

Watch Scottish Premiership Action

Fans can stream live Scottish Premiership action on NOW, with various membership options available for instant access to live games, including those featuring St Johnstone.