New St Johnstone head coach Simo Valakari is focusing on trophies and top-six finishes at McDiarmid Park.
The previous Motherwell, Derby and Finland midfielder was named as Craig Levein’s substitute – two weeks after his dismissal – and has challenged his gamers to compete for silverware.
Valakari – who left his place at Latvian facet Riga to hitch the Perth membership – has received six main honours in his managerial profession, 5 in his homeland Finland and one in Latvia.
St Johnstone received the home cup double and earned a fifth-place league end throughout the 2020/21 season however have since failed to attain the next league place than ninth since then.
They’re presently tenth within the Scottish Premiership – two factors away from backside spot – having received simply certainly one of their seven league video games this season.
“I’m a winner, I want to win trophies,” the brand new St Johnstone boss instructed Sky Sports activities Information.
“The dimensions of this soccer membership, we must be difficult for these trophies yearly.
“It was not long ago that we were, but that’s football, it moves forward quickly.
“Brief-term, I wish to push this yr for high six and make the membership stronger. Then subsequent yr come out stronger once more.”
Valakari joined Motherwell in 1996 and spent 4 years on the membership
St Johnstone had held talks with former Celtic, Aberdeen and Hibs midfielder Scott Brown, who as a substitute opted to signal a brand new deal at Ayr United.
Aberdeen assistant Peter Leven additionally spoke to St Johnstone, whereas talks broke down with Larne boss Tiernan Lynch.
The Saints then moved for Valakari – who is believed to have impressed membership bosses throughout his preliminary interview – and negotiated his exit from Riga.
Valakari shall be within the stands for Sunday’s recreation in opposition to Rangers
“I would be disappointed and worried if there were not other applications for this kind of job,” he added.
“I’m happy that there was a lot of interest.
“I am very completely happy to be again in Scotland at an enormous soccer membership and I can not wait to get began.”
Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland will remain in charge of the team for this weekend’s game against Rangers at Ibrox, with Valakari watching from the stands. He will take charge of his first match as head coach when St Johnstone welcome Ross County to McDiarmid Park on 19 October.
St Johnstone proprietor Adam Webb mentioned: “Simo rose to the top after an extensive hiring process and interviews with several great candidates.
“He has a outstanding imaginative and prescient for the way forward for St Johnstone. Simo’s expertise, enthusiasm and creativity will serve us nicely within the years forward.”
St Johnstone’s subsequent six video games
- 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
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