Simo Valakari Named St Johnstone Manager After Craig Levein's Departure

Simo Valakari Appointed as New Manager of St Johnstone

In a strategic move to revitalize their performance, St Johnstone Football Club has officially appointed former midfielder Simo Valakari as their new head coach. This decision comes after the club parted ways with Craig Levein two weeks ago, marking a significant shift in leadership at McDiarmid Park.

Search for a New Leader

The search for Levein's successor included discussions with notable names in Scottish football, including former Celtic, Aberdeen, and Hibernian midfielder Scott Brown. However, Brown chose to renew his contract with Ayr United. Moreover, the club also considered Aberdeen's assistant coach Peter Leven and experienced Larne boss Tiernan Lynch, though negotiations with Lynch ultimately fell through.

Valakari's Impressive Track Record

Simo Valakari, aged 51, previously managed FC Riga in the Latvian league. He took the helm midway through the past season, leading the team to victory in the Latvian Supercup. Valakari boasts a solid managerial resume, having won back-to-back Finnish Cups in 2021 and 2022 with KuPS and several trophies with SJK. His extensive experience in both Finnish and Latvian leagues has positioned him well to lead St Johnstone.

Current Standing of St Johnstone

As it stands, St Johnstone is struggling in the Scottish Premiership, currently positioned 10th and just two points clear of the relegation zone, having secured only one victory from their opening seven league games this season.

Immediate Plans Ahead

While Valakari's official managerial reign begins, Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland will take charge for the upcoming match against Rangers. Sources indicate that the club's American ownership was highly impressed with Valakari's insights regarding the current squad, and are already looking at potential free agents to bolster the team ahead of the January transfer window.

Valakari's Vision

Upon his appointment, Valakari expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "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 - players, staff, and fans." His commitment to reviving the team's fortunes is evident as he acknowledges the existing potential within the squad despite recent challenges.

Statements from the Club

St Johnstone owner Adam Webb highlighted Valakari's selection, saying, "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." This sentiment affirms the club's commitment to building a brighter future.

Upcoming Matches

• 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

As St Johnstone embarks on this new chapter under Valakari's leadership, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the team navigates the challenges of the Scottish Premiership in the coming weeks.