SIMO VALAKARI has emerged as a contender for the vacant manager’s position at Kilmarnock after failing to convince Motherwell of his worth earlier in the season.
Valakari submitted his CV to the Fir Park club, which he served as a player, following Ian Baraclough’s departure in September, but lost out to Mark McGhee.
The Finn is in the running to make a return to Scottish football at Rugby Park, though, with Kilmarnock planning to interview him over the next day or two.
The Ayrshire club are taking time to appoint a successor to Gary Locke with former Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies and ex-Blackpool head coach Lee Clark having both been spoken to.
Ally McCoist, the former Rangers manager, has also been linked with the club he served towards the end of his playing career.
Valakari led SJK to the Finnish title last season and it is understood that he has been given permission by his club to speak to Kilmarnock.
Lee McCulloch remains in charge at Rugby Park after guiding the side to a 0-0 draw at Rangers in the fifth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup on Saturday and looks likely to be in the dug-out for this weekend’s important visit to Motherwell.
He does not want the job on a full-time basis, but he is open to working with a new manager as player-coach and knows Valakari well, having played beside him for four years at Fir Park.
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