Simo Valakari breaks St Johnstone manager silence with Riga boss lined up as Craig Levein successor

Simo Valakari has confirmed that St Johnstone have been granted permission to speak to him about their managerial vacancy but says he is yet to talk to Perth bosses 'out of respect' for current club Riga.

The 51-year-old Finnish coach is now the leading contender to succeed Craig Levein at McDiarmid Park after the Saints were unable to agree personal terms with Larne manager Tiernan Lynch. Speaking to Latvian outlet Futbola Virsliga after his side's 1-0 win against FK Liepaja on Sunday, he said: “I’m Riga FC head coach. They have asked for permission to talk with me.

“The club said ‘yes’. But I have not been talking with them yet due to the respect of my players and the respect of this game". Valakari - who spent four years as a player at Motherwell between 1996 and 2000, has picked up a wealth of experience in his 14 years in management. He has coached in Finland, Norway and Latvia, lifting two Finnish league titles with SJK Seinajoki and two domestic cups with Kuopion Palloseura.

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