ST MIRREN have started the search for a new manager - and expect Gary Teale to apply for his own position.
The Paisley club's board of directors met this afternoon following confirmation on Friday night that the side would be relegated to the SPFL Championship. Teale has been in temporary charge since December when Tommy Craig was sacked and, although a club statement revealed they would now "start the rebuilding process immediately" by looking for a new manager, they also, unusually, encouraged Teale to also put his name forward.
"The first step on this road [to a better future] is the appointment of a new manager," read a statement. "We are now inviting applications from managers interested in managing this great club with first class facilities and excellent young players. The Board would like to place on record our thanks to both Gary Teale and David Longwell for taking over the reins after Tommy Craig's departure and whilst the job of avoiding relegation proved to be a step too far their commitment, effort and endeavour has been there for all to see. We would expect Gary to put his name forward for the vacant manager's position and we will duly consider his application along with all others we receive."
The statement also conceded that they had got "some decisions wrong" this season, and accepted responsibility for those. Rather than linger on it, however, they felt the most prudent policy would be not to try to move forward.
It added: "There is no getting away from the fact that this has been a difficult and disappointing season for everyone connected with St Mirren Football Club culminating in what will be a 12th place finish and relegation to the Championship.As a Board of Directors we have always made what we believed to be the best decisions for the good of the Club. This season, unfortunately, we have got some of those decisions wrong, and we hold our hands up and accept responsibility.
"One of the reasons we all love football is that it moves on quickly and as a Club we have to do the same and start the rebuilding process immediately. So rather than spend the next few months dealing with the recriminations we will look to the future and start this process from today."
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