Oran Kearney has been announced as the new manager of St Mirren, taking over from Alan Stubbs who was sacked after just four games of the season.
Kearney had been managing Coleraine as well as teaching PE at the Cross and Passion college in Ballycastle, County Antrim, but will now take over from Stubbs, having interviewed for the vacant managerial position in the summer only to be passed over for the job in favour of the former Everton defender.
Kearney revealed that it has been a whirlwind couple of days which has seen him take charge of the Saints:
It’s been a rollercoaster 72 hours to be honest. It’s all been very surreal. I had an interview in the summer that went well and I got a really good feeling about the people in charge at the club.
I didn’t get the job at that point, but I said, ‘What’s for you won’t go by you’, and here I am. There were a few things I had to sort out, but I feel at this stage it’s the right move for me and I can’t wait to get started.
St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick welcomed the arrival of the 40-year-old, who steered Coleraine to second in the Irish Premiership as well as winning the Irish Cup last season:
We are absolutely delighted to have Oran in as our new manager. He is a highly impressive individual and I look forward to working with him.
Kearney’s has signed a three year deal with the promoted side and has a daunting first game in charge, taking on Brendan Rodgers' Celtic at home on the 14th of September.
