Simo Valakari Aims for Top-Six Finish and Trophies as St Johnstone Head Coach

St Johnstone's New Era Under Simo Valakari

St Johnstone football club is entering a new chapter with the recent appointment of Simo Valakari as head coach. This experienced former midfielder, who has played for notable clubs such as Motherwell and Derby and even represented Finland on the international stage, is keen on driving the team towards trophy success and securing top-six finishes in the Scottish Premiership.

Valakari's Mission: Trophy Hunting

Valakari takes over the head coach role after the dismissal of Craig Levein, with aspirations to reinvigorate the club's competitive spirit. In his first statements, he emphasized his winning mentality, declaring, "I'm a winner, I want to win trophies." Valakari's ambitious plan is to challenge for silverware consistently, stating, "The size of this football club requires us to compete for trophies every year." This focus comes after a successive season where St Johnstone failed to exceed a ninth-place finish since achieving a remarkable double victory in the 2020/21 season.

Valakari's Background in Management

Before his appointment, Valakari was managing Riga in Latvia, where he demonstrated his managerial prowess by winning six major honors, five in Finland and one abroad. His successful tenure overseas aptly demonstrates his capability to elevate St Johnstone's aspirations and performance on the pitch.

Current Performance of St Johnstone

Currently, St Johnstone is facing challenges as they sit 10th in the Scottish Premiership, having managed to secure only one victory from their seven league games this season. Valakari's immediate goal is to establish the team in the top six, as he believes in creating a club mentality that promotes strength and success.

Future Fixtures for St Johnstone

As Simo Valakari prepares to take charge, the club's next fixtures include:

• 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

Conclusion: A New Hope for St Johnstone

St Johnstone's club owner, Adam Webb, has expressed confidence in Valakari, highlighting his vision and enthusiasm for the future. Valakari will be keeping an eye on the team's performance during the weekend's upcoming match against Rangers, before he officially takes the reins against Ross County on October 19. With an experienced mind at the helm, fans are hopeful that the club can rediscover its winning ways and secure its spot among Scotland's elite football clubs.