Why Simo Valakari is ‘brilliant’ St Johnstone fit and how he can bring good times back

Add as preferred source on Google

Owen Coyle knows all about what it takes to lift St Johnstone out of the doldrums and get them back on the up.

The experienced boss was still wet behind the ears in management terms when he took over at McDiarmid Park in 2005. In his first season in charge he managed a shock League Cup win over Rangers but just missed out on winning the second tier to big-spending Gretna.

The following campaign started off well too and it wasn’t long before Burnley came calling to headhunt him. But Coyle had the Perth Saints back on the right path and left a platform for Derek McInnes, Steve Lomas, Tommy Wright and Callum Davidson to go and have success.

They are in need of a move in a similar trajectory at the minute with Valakari having just taken over from Craig Levein. The Chennaiyin boss is convinced the former Motherwell midfielder can be the man to kickstart that.

• READ MORE: Aberdeen ‘can split’ Celtic and Rangers but caveat added

Valakari is ‘brilliant’ St Johnstone fit

Asked about the need for the need for a charismatic boss like himself, Coyle told The Courier: “I totally understand that, absolutely 100 per cent. When we came in, St Johnstone were near the bottom of the Championship and weren’t mathematically safe.

“The club were in a lull and I had a huge job to do on a relatively low budget. We needed to create something the supporters could get behind.

“Eventually, by the time I left there was a good platform that the guys who came after could build on – Derek (McInnes), Steve (Lomas), and then Tommy (Wright) and Callum (Davidson) with the three cup wins.

“We need to get St Johnstone back moving upwards again – I say ‘we’ because I’m still invested. I still love the club. I had an amazing time there.

“The time is right for someone like Simo, who has fresh ideas. He knows what to do. He just needs to be given the time and tools to implement those ideas and make this his St Johnstone. He can elevate the club and himself.”

St Johnstone are rightfully a Premiership club

Coyle added: “He’s joined a brilliant club, which I know very well. I’ve always heard people say: ‘Oh, but St Johnstone don’t have as big a support as this club or the other’. Who cares?

“St Johnstone are a Premiership club with good people and a passionate support. The people of Perth and the surrounding area love their club.

“They’ve got a really good manager who can take them on. I’m delighted for Simo that he’s back in Scotland and chuffed to bits that it’s at a club so close to my heart.

“I think it’s a brilliant fit. He’ll totally understand the core principles and values that St Johnstone stand for.

“Hopefully, next time I’m back I can get to a game because Simo is somebody I’ve got so much time for. You want good people to do well.”