St Mirren Football Club can confirm that Stephen Robinson has departed the club to take on the role of manager at Aberdeen Football Club.
The Northern Irishman leaves St Mirren after Aberdeen triggered a compensation clause in his contract.
The board of directors and everyone at St Mirren would like to thank Stephen for the role he has played at the club during his four years in charge and wish him well for the future.
The club can confirm that assistant manager Brian Kerr will also leave the club to join Stephen at Aberdeen. We thank Brian for his efforts during his time at St Mirren and wish him well for the future.
An interim coaching team has been put in place with Craig McLeish working alongside Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus to take charge of first-team matters until a new management team is appointed. Craig has been part of the first-team setup in recent months following his involvement at senior level with the St Mirren Youth Academy for a number of years. He will work alongside Jamie and Allan who took interim charge of Saints prior to Stephen's appointment in 2022.
Appointed as St Mirren manager in February 2022, Stephen achieved our first top six finish in the current league structure, and our highest top-flight finish since 1984-85, during his first full season at the club.
The following season, Stephen would lead us to a fifth-place finish in the William Hill Premiership which saw us return to European football for the first time in 37 years. A third consecutive top six finish was completed in April 2025.
Stephen further cemented his legacy as one of St Mirren’s greatest ever managers when he led us to success in the Premier Sports Cup in December.
St Mirren Chairman John Needham said: "I would like to place on record the club’s sincere thanks to Stephen Robinson for his tremendous contributions during his time as our manager.
"While we are sad to see Stephen leave the club, he departs with the best wishes of everyone at St Mirren after four years of outstanding service.
"Stephen will rightfully go down as one of St Mirren’s greatest ever managers. Our European nights against Valur FC and SK Brann will live long in the memory, as will December’s Premier Sports Cup victory over Celtic at Hampden Park.
"We wish Stephen, Brian and their families the very best of luck for the future.
"The process to appoint a new manager is underway and we will update supporters further as soon as possible."
St Mirren Chief Operating Officer Keith Lasley added: "While we are naturally disappointed to see Stephen move on, we respect his desire to take on a new challenge.
"Stephen has served the club with tremendous drive and determination over his four years in charge and delivered phenomenal success to St Mirren.
"I want to personally thank him for his contributions during his time at the club and wish him and Brian well for the future.
"Craig McLeish, Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus will head up our interim team and ensure a smooth transition having all been involved with the first-team matters. We have every faith in their ability to help drive the club on over the interim period as we conduct a thorough process to appoint a new management team.
"Our focus is now on the process to appoint a new manager and ensuring a strong finish to the season, with much to play for in the league and a trip to Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup semi-finals coming up next month."
