St Johnstone boss Simo Valakari has revealed that prospective new coach, Jordi Aluja, made a good impression when he spent some time at McDiarmid Park in the middle of their relegation season.
The Spaniard will join Valakari’s backroom staff if he secures a work permit.
And Scottish football won’t be completely new to the 29-year-old.
“Jordi came to Finland as a young man,” said Valakari.
“He coached my youngest boy (at KaPa) and they got promotion.
“It is actually my club, where I started my career as a player, and also went back to when I started coaching.
“That team was not expected to get promoted and he showed a lot of good qualities.
“When he was out of work at the end of last year, he was very proactive.
“He went to different places and spent one week with us, analysing our games and our training.
“He gave good feedback on what was working and what we could do better.
“Since then, we have stayed in contact, and he was in my mind when I decided to change things.
“He was working again in Finland, and I was very happy that he was able to come over here and hopefully join us.”
Departures
Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland both left Saints over the summer to create at least one vacancy.
“There is no drama,” said Valakari.
“In football you change your playing squad, and you also change your coaching staff sometimes as well.
“Everything we do is with the aim of becoming a better club and a better team.”
Will there be another addition to the coaching staff?
“As always, we will see,” said Valakari.
“Danny Griffin is going to coach the under-19 team, and he has been with us this week.
“He knows the club and I’ve been very happy with what he has brought to the training pitch.”
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