Following the departure of Craig Levein as St Johnstone manager earlier today, we had a look at four British and Irish managers who could take on the role at McDiarmid Park.
Jim Magilton
Jim Magilton has had a varied managerial career, with experience in both English and Irish football. He first rose to prominence as manager of Ipswich Town, where he spent three seasons, and later took on roles at Queens Park Rangers and with the Irish Football Association.
Most recently, Magilton found success in Northern Ireland, leading Cliftonville to victory in the 2023 Irish Cup, their first win in the competition since 1979, marking a major achievement for the club. His ability to bring success to Cliftonville after such a long drought highlights his capability as a manager.
The St Johnstone job might appeal to Magilton as a new challenge, offering him a chance to transition back into football in a higher profile football even at a time when the club is struggling.
His experience could help stabilise the team and provide a platform to further his managerial career.
Barry Robson
“Barry Robson buries a penalty” by Matt Boulton is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Robson transitioned into management after retiring from a successful playing career. He took over as the interim manager of Aberdeen FC in early 2023, before being appointed permanently after impressing with his leadership.
Despite his relative inexperience, Robson led Aberdeen to a third-place finish in the Scottish Premiership, securing European qualification. However, his tenure faced challenges the longer it went on and eventually led to his departure due to inconsistent form and pressure from fans.
Robson has a point to prove, as he seeks to establish himself as a top-level manager capable of sustaining success and navigating the complexities of a demanding league.
St Johnstone could be the perfect platform to rebuild his career in management.
Ian Murray
Ian Murray gained experience leading clubs like Dumbarton, St. Mirren, and Airdrieonians before taking charge at Raith Rovers in 2022.
Although, he has shown potential by guiding teams through challenging periods, he has yet to achieve significant success at the highest levels of Scottish football.
His managerial stints have been marked by mixed results, particularly his time at St. Mirren, where he struggled to make a lasting impact.
Murray has a point to prove as he seeks to establish himself as a top level manager in Scottish football, after leaving Raith Rovers after one game this season despite delivering an upturn in the clubs performances throughout his two year tenure in Kirkcaldy.
Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon is a highly experienced manager, best known for his two successful spells at Celtic, where he won multiple Scottish Premiership titles and domestic trophies. His managerial career also includes stints at Hibernian and Bolton Wanderers, as well as brief spells in Cyprus with Omonia Nicosia and Romania with Rapid Bucharest.
Lennon is known for his passionate leadership style and ability to galvanise teams. However, his recent managerial roles have been less consistent, particularly his most recent role in Romania that lasted only six games.
The St Johnstone job could appeal to Lennon as an opportunity to rebuild his reputation in Scotland, where he’s familiar with the league and its challenges. With the team struggling near the bottom of the table, it would offer him a chance to prove his ability to stabilise a club and drive improvement.
Callum McFadden 