Inside St Johnstone's Callum Davidson sacking decision as US takeover talks raise stakes
The defeat at Livingston on Saturday afternoon was the final straw for the Saints.
St Johnstone have sacked double cup-winning boss Callum Davidson.
The defeat at Livingston on Saturday afternoon was the final straw for the Saints. The 46-year-old was informed by chairman Steve Brown of the decision to end his near three-year stint at the club. The big call was made after St Johnstone were dragged back into the relegation fight. That has become a major issue and concern for the St Johnstone board.
There is an American group who are in talks to buy the club but losing their Scottish Premiership status could wipe a lot of value from that potential sale. St Johnstone have failed to win in their last six games, picking up just two points, which had left them perilously close to the drop, just five points off the bottom of the table. Saints needed a play-off to beat Inverness last season to safeguard their top-flight last status. The club weren’t prepared to let it go down to the wire on this occasion, after heavily backing their manager on his recruitment in the summer.
They had looked well clear of it a few weeks ago but a terrible run has dragged them back into the mire. They have picked up just two points from their last six games. Davidson will be assured of legendary status having led Saints to the League and Scottish Cups.
It was his first season after he had taken over from Tommy Wright. The former Saints and Scotland defender, however, has struggled, unsurprisingly, to hit those dizzy heights again. St Johnstone host Hibs this weekend in their final fixture before the split. It is a big spell for the club and their owners.
Assistant manager Steven MacLean with coaches Liam Craig and Alex Cleland are likely to take the team in the short-term. The Brown family have put the club up for sale and talks are ongoing with several parties. The American interest has been ramped up although no offer has yet been tabled or agreed.
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