St Mirren Football Club can today announce that Craig McLeish will continue to lead the club as interim manager until the end of the season.
Craig, alongside Jamie Langfield, Allan McManus and Marc Kelly, has impressed since taking on the interim position earlier this month and led us to a 2-1 victory away to Falkirk prior to the international break.
Following a thorough managerial search, the Board of Directors and Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley have concluded that maintaining our current interim coaching team gives us the best possible opportunity of a strong finish to the season.
We are pleased to confirm that former St Mirren player Stuart Taylor has joined the club to strengthen the interim group. Stuart will support Craig, Jamie, Allan and Marc as part of our coaching team until the end of the season.
Stuart began his playing career at Saints and subsequently made 90 appearances for the Buddies during a six-year stay at the club. Since retiring as a player in 2009, the 51-year-old has enjoyed an extensive coaching career, working alongside Paul Lambert at Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City and Ipswich Town.
Most recently, Stuart was assistant to Tony Docherty at Dundee where they secured a top six finish in their first season in charge, before retaining the Dark Blues’ place in the William Hill Premiership last season.
Interim manager Craig McLeish told stmirren.com: “I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the group for the rest of the season.
"I think we've made a positive impact on the group and I'm grateful to Keith and the board for giving me the opportunity to continue that and to help try to pull us out of the situation that we're in.
We've got a lot of big games to look forward to, including the cup semi-final, and I can't wait to take part in that opportunity as well.
On the appointment of Stuart as interim assistant, Craig added: "We spoke to a number of different people and Stuart ticked all the boxes with his level of experience.
"He’s been down in the English Premier League, has managed himself, is very good on the grass and on the coaching pitch, and is ultimately a really good person and good about the place.
"Everyone I spoke to spoke really highly of him. We had a really good conversation on the phone along with Keith and he was so enthusiastic about it and excited about the opportunity from his point of view.
"We'll get back to work again on Monday, preparing for the Aberdeen game. We've got lots of big moments coming up and we just have to focus on our day-to-day work and keep preparing the team as best we possibly can."
New interim assistant Stuart Taylor said: "I'm delighted to be back at the football club.
"I started my playing career her"e when I left school, so it's a club that means a lot to me. It has real passionate supporters that follow the club week in week out, so I'm looking forward to getting back in there on matchdays and being part of that atmosphere.
"We’ve got a strong squad of players at this moment in time, so looking to have a really fantastic end to the season and I’m looking forward to working with the lads.
I'm really looking forward to working with the staff also. I'm quite sure we'll bang our heads together and have loads of conversations about the best way to go and win games and get the right performances.
It’s a massive push from now until the end of the season. Players, supporters, staff all in it together and looking to go and get and win as many games as possible."
Stuart Taylor will join as interim assistant until the end of the season (Image: Kenny Ramsay)
St Mirren Chairman John Needham added: "I’m absolutely delighted we’ve reached agreement with Craig, Jamie, Allan and Marc to lead us through these vital league and cup games in the coming weeks. It’s also great to welcome Stuart back to the club. I’m sure his experience will prove invaluable.
"As a Board, along with Keith, we took time to assess all of the options available. In particular we looked at the how the players have reacted in the past two games and how Craig has impressed as interim manager.
I’d ask our fans to get right behind the interim management team and the players for the remaining games of the season. Their support will be crucial in helping us move up the league and as we attempt to get to another cup final."
St Mirren Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley said: "I’m delighted that, following a thorough and considered process, it was the unanimous decision of myself and the Board to appoint Craig to lead the team through to the end of the season.
Craig has shown real leadership in recent weeks, and with the support of Jamie, Allan, Marc and our new arrival Stuart, we have a strong and experienced group in place to drive the team forward.
"Stuart brings with him a wealth of coaching experience as well as excellent knowledge of the Scottish Premiership and what is required between now and the end of the season.
"We’ll give Craig, the coaching staff and the players our full backing as we aim to finish the league campaign strongly and look forward to returning to Hampden as we push to reach another national cup final.”
