Craig Levein returns to top flight football as St Johnstone manager

St Johnstone have named Craig Levein as the club’s new manager.

The Perth club have moved to name the experienced boss as the successor to Steven MacLean, who was sacked last week after a difficult start to the Premiership season.

The 59-year-old has signed a contract that runs until May 2026 and will be assisted by Andy Kirk, who was manager at Brechin City, where Levein was an advisor.

“I am delighted to be sitting here as the new St Johnstone manager,” he told Saints TV.

“I know Geoff Brown, Roddy Grant, Gus MacPherson and Stan Harris well and they were a massive part in why I have joined the club.

“I believe we have a great squad here that can kick on and start to climb up the league.

“Andy is a great coach and will take on most of the training.

“I can’t wait to get started and look forward to the future here at McDiarmid Park.”

Levein will now be tasked with lifting the club from the bottom of the table and building confidence in a side that has only won two competitive games this season.

The 59-year-old, who has recently been working as a media pundit in addition to his consultancy role at Brechin, was sacked from his dual role as manager and director of football at Hearts back in October 2019 and has not been in front line management since.

St Johnstone chief executive Stan Harris said he believes the club have appointed an outstanding manager.

“I am delighted to welcome Craig to St Johnstone,” Harris said.

“Craig joins with vast experience having managed over 600 games, including having the highest honour of managing Scotland.

“We identified the need for experience to help guide St Johnstone through this difficult spell, we believe we have found that by appointing Craig.

“We wish Craig all the best in his new role and have no doubt we have picked the right candidate for the job.

“We would like to thank Brechin City Football Club for their co-operation throughout this process and wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.

“Finally, we would like to thank Alec Cleland, Danny Griffin, Craig Hinchliffe and Alistair Stevenson for stepping in and securing a vital win over Kilmarnock during what was a very difficult time for everyone at St Johnstone.”

Levein will begin his time in charge at McDiarmid Park with two home games, against Motherwell on November 11 and Ross County four days later, before taking the team to face his old club Hearts on November 25.