Simo Valakari on verge of St Johnstone move as Perth side table long term deal to land next manager

The move is on the brink with Saints closing in on their next man

St Johnstone are closing in on a deal for Simo Valakari.

The Perth side have agreed compensation with Riga for their head coach. They've opened talks with the Finn and have tabled a three year deal, and are confident that they can get a deal sealed in the coming days. Former Motherwell star Valakari has been keen to try his luck in management in British football for some time. The 51-year-old has a top pedigree in his homeland, where he has won the league three times and the domestic cups with SJK and KuPs. He also had a spell in Norway in between that with Tromso.

Valakari has been in Latvia since last year with Auda and then he moved to Riga at the end of last year. He is set to become the first managerial appointment of the Adam Webb era, after the American owner sacked Craig Levein last month.

St Johnstone interviewed Ayr United manager Scott Brown, Aberdeen first-team coach Peter Leven and Larne manager Tiernan Lynch. Brown and Leven both pulled out and they couldn’t agree personal terms with Lynch.

Valakari was also interviewed and he is set to get the nod. It remains to be seen if he will be appointed before this weekend’s game with Rangers but it is likely Andy Kirk and Alec Cleland are left in temporary charge.

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