ST JOHNSTONE’S boardroom and dressing room have come together to send a clear message to Dundee United after it emerged the Tayside club had made an approach for permission to speak to manager Tommy Wright.
The Northern Irishman is understood to be on the shortlist of candidates wanted to replace Jackie McNamara at Tannadice following his sacking last week. The pressing issue of getting the right man in was only underlined further when the Tayside club went down 3-0 at Partick Thistle on Saturday under the temporary stewardship of Dave Bowman, causing them to sink to the foot of the Ladbrokes Premiership.
Wright has brought great success to St Johnstone since he was appointed manager back in 2013. Previously employed as assistant to Steve Lomas, he went on to help the Perth club lift the Scottish Cup for the first time in their history during his maiden season in charge while following that up with a fourth-placed Premiership finish last campaign.
In the wake of St Johnstone’s staggering 5-1 win over league leaders Aberdeen at Pittodrie on Saturday, it is understandable that the 52-year-old would be seen as an ideal fit to bring stability and success to United. However, Steve Brown, the McDiarmid Park chairman, has told their local rivals that any request to speak to Wright will be turned down – no matter how much compensation may be offered.
He said: “The manager has never indicated that he wishes to leave the club and I have spoken with Tommy regarding this particular matter and he has reiterated to me that he is more than happy at Saints.
“Since I appointed Tommy, I have had a good working relationship with him and we are both striving to maintain the success we have enjoyed in recent seasons and therefore, regardless of any approach and any level of compensation that might be offered, it will be flatly turned down.
“It is important to me that all St Johnstone supporters are assured that we intend for Tommy to remain at the club beyond his current contract which already runs to June 2017.”
It was a sentiment echoed by Brian Easton. The St Johnstone defender was brought in by Wright as one of his first appointments and admits he would be surprised if his manager would swap a team three points off a European place for the side currently propping up the table.
“It would surprise me, although I don’t know the ins and outs of everything,” said Easton. “What I will say is we look good just now and have done all season. Even in the games we have given away cheap goals we have played some nice stuff.
“There is more to come from us, and we are in the hunt for both cup competitions as well.
“I think it would be a bit of a side step for him, but saying that United are a big club. Right now we are looking good so hopefully he’ll stay the St Johnstone manager.
“I saw the statement earlier on the website. I was pleased with it and I’m sure the other boys will be hoping he stays on,” said Easton. “It doesn’t surprise me there are teams sniffing about because he’s been doing great and with the way things are going his stock is pretty high.
“We will see what happens over the next few days but hopefully he is still our manager come the Partick Thistle game.”
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