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Home Sport Football St Johnstone FC

St Johnstone set to appoint a new coach from Spain

Simo Valakari has identified Jordi Aluja Berengue for a vacant position in his backroom team.

By Eric Nicolson
A head and shoulders picture of Jordi Aluja.
St Johnstone's new coach, Jordi Aluja. Image: Submitted.

St Johnstone are set to add Spanish coach, Jordi Aluja Berengue to Simo Valakari’s backroom team.

The Perth boss decided to break with the past after last season’s relegation from the Premiership by parting company with Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland.

Courier Sport understands that he has identified Aluja to join his staff ahead of Saints’ Championship campaign.

The 29-year-old has been working in Finland since 2020, as an assistant and head coach.

His most recent job has been at Veikkausliiga club, AC Oulu.

Aluja has a coaching and football analytics background.

He is expected to arrive in Scotland this weekend and will then go through the work permit process.

Paavo (left) and Simo Valakari in the McDiarmid Park main stand.
Paavo (left) and Simo Valakari. Image: SNS.

Valakari and son Paavo, Saints’ performance manager, will oversee the start of pre-season training.

The manager is very much a hands-on boss through the week and may decide that with Paavo, Aluja and goalkeeper coach, Gordon Marshall, he does not need another coach.

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