Image source, SNSImage caption, McLeish won four of his 11 games in charge of St Mirren last season
- Published4 June 2026
Craig McLeish believes his background with St Mirren's academy makes him the best choice as manager after agreeing a three-year deal with the Scottish Premiership club.
The 36-year-old stepped in on a temporary basis following the March departure of League Cup-winning boss Stephen Robinson to Aberdeen.
McLeish won three of his nine league matches but was unable to prevent the Buddies finishing second bottom as Kilmarnock hit form after the split. In the Premiership play-off final, the Paisley side prevailed 2-1 against Partick Thistle.
Stuart Taylor, 51, will remain as assistant and head of goalkeeping Jamie Langfield, 46, will also take on the responsibility of set-piece coach.
St Mirren said their "thorough, data-driven recruitment process" assessed "a number of external candidates".
"The board and football leadership agreed that Craig was the outstanding candidate," the club added.
And McLeish said: "I'm delighted that my vision aligned with the club's and they feel I'm the best person to take us forward.
"With my knowledge of the players coming through and how much I trust them, I don't think there would be a better person to go down that route. I've been at this club now for eight years."
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- Published18 June 2023
Chief operating officer Keith Lasley said: "This is a moment for the club that was always coming probably to the end of a cycle, a very successful one, but we feel as if there's a new exciting challenge ahead in the way we win as a football club.
"That is the development of young players, the development of a player trading model and the development of a style and an exciting football team for our fans to come here every weekend and watch.
"We know where Craig is in his journey, he's still very early, but I think there's some really good examples, at the likes of Brentford and Brighton, that give people opportunity. We want to be that club and that's based on merit. Craig is a very driven, hungry individual."
St Mirren returned to the top flight in 2018 and enjoyed three successive top-six finishes prior to the 2025-26 campaign.
Robinson had been at the helm since February 2022 and lifted the club's first silverware in 12 years after beating Celtic in last December's League Cup final. He left for Pittodrie with the Buddies sitting 10th in the table, three points in front of Kilmarnock.
And chairman John Needham commented: "This appointment is about building on the progress made during a challenging period.
"Craig came into a difficult situation and results improved under his leadership. He has earned the trust of the players and leadership.
"He knows the club from the inside, having worked across the academy and first-team environment over a number of years, and understands the standards expected at St Mirren as well as the demands of the support."
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