ST MIRREN have begun the search for their fifth manager in just two-and-a-half years, with former boss Gus MacPherson among those under consideration to replace Alex Rae who has been sacked after just nine months in charge. Rae and his assistant David Farrell paid the price for the Paisley side’s poor start to the season, with St Mirren sitting bottom of the Championship with no wins from their opening six games.
Rae becomes the fourth manager in succession to last less than a year in post at the Paisley 2021 Stadium, following in the footsteps of Tommy Craig, Gary Teale and Ian Murray who all presided over relatively brief reigns.
Rae had been a surprise choice to replace Murray last December, having not worked as a manager since leaving Dundee in 2008. But he soon steadied the ship, steering St Mirren away from relegation danger and eventually into a sixth-place finish. Despite making wholesale changes to his squad in the summer – signing nine players and releasing 13 – the former Rangers midfielder could not continue that progress into the new season and has now paid the ultimate price.
A statement on the St Mirren website read: “St Mirren have terminated the contracts of both Manager Alex Rae and Assistant Manager David Farrell. The Head of the Club’s Academy, Allan McManus will take the team on an interim basis until a successor is appointed. This will be the Board’s immediate priority. The Board would like to thank both Alex and David for all of their efforts on behalf of the Club and wish them all the best for the future. St Mirren FC will be making no further comment at this time.”
MacPherson, who previously managed the club between 2003 and 2010 and led Queen’s Park to promotion to League 1 last season, will feature on new chairman Gordon Scott’s list as a possible candidate to replace Rae. Jack Ross, who played at the Paisley club for two years under MacPherson, may also come into consideration given his impressive start as Alloa manager, while John Hughes may also feature in the running. Jim Goodwin, St Mirren’s League-Cup winning captain, told the Herald and Evening Times last week that he wishes to return to the club as manager one day, although the vacancy has likely come too soon.
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