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St Mirren set for decision on boss Danny Lennon's future

Last updated on .From the section St Mirrencomments39

Danny Lennon with Stewart Gilmour

St Mirren manager Danny Lennon insists he has "held up his end of the bargain" ahead of a board meeting over his future.

Lennon, who guided the Buddies to Premiership safety this season, is out of contract in the summer.

Afetr meeting on Thursday, the club's board will re-convene to assess the situation again next week.

"When I was brought in, my remit was to make sure the club remained in the top flight," Lennon said.

"And I'm delighted that, for the ninth season in a row, the club has achieved that. I thank the board for helping me do that and I've held up my end of the bargain," Lennon added.

"Two years ago, I gave them their highest finish in the SPL at the time and we won a national cup [the League Cup in 2013].

"The manager at any club carries the can for results and I think, as a whole, we've achieved more than the expectation was.

"I think it's pleasing in this day and age that a manager can see his contract out and I've got to thank my board of directors for that.

"I'm my own biggest critic and I've made mistakes at St Mirren, but I've learned from them and, from when I came in the door four years ago, I'm certainly a better manager for it today."

Lennon, who was speaking after his side lost 1-0 to Kilmarnock, said he was not not worried about his future and, when asked if he knew about the board meeting, he replied, "No, we'll just concentrate, regroup and we'll be back in tomorrow morning, recovering and looking to go again on Saturday."

Earlier, chairman Gilmour praised Lennon's side's recent displays that secured safety and said no decision had been made on the manager's future.

"It is a huge decision. It's a decision about how we take St Mirren Football club forward. Danny has got a lot of positives in there," he told BBC Scotland.

"We've got to look at the whole picture. That's what the guys will do tomorrow and we'll take it from there.

"Danny has done particularly well in the last period, there's no question of that. The team have done incredibly well.

"We always thought we had the ability there to be clear of the relegation play offs - and I know the players' professional pride makes them want to be seventh [in the table]."

"As it so happens, the board are meeting tomorrow and we'll have a full discussion of a number of things of which the manager's position will be a main focal point.

"We're a very argumentative, talkative board and I am sure plenty will be said and we'll be talking to Danny within the next couple of days."

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39 comments

  • Comment posted by User0341123739, at 11:53 8 May 2014

    On the whole Danny has done a good job- some of the signings have been dubious and at a club like ours we cannot afford such mistakes- However, enough of the established names and the emergence of a new generation of talent has seen us very comfortably stay up. Tight ship being run financially and this affects the transfer budget.

  • Comment posted by User0657119347, at 22:26 8 May 2014

    It is a disgrace that the SMFC board even consider not to give DL a new contract. Despite a patchy record Danny has done a great job; not least winning the League cup!
    As a Buddie of 40 years standing (& I am only 50!) we need to be realistic.
    The Board are good guys who saved the club & steered us into safety in new ground. Please don't cock it up now!
    Well done Danny, Goodie Thomo & co!

  • Comment posted by ictfc, at 13:14 8 May 2014

    @4 we'll swap you for john hughes. league table for the 2nd half of the season with him in charge has us about 10th, we're in danger of relegation next season with him in charge

  • Comment posted by DMC49, at 14:24 8 May 2014

    11- When were ST M a yoyo club please? Do u actually know the stats, we got relegated in 2000 cause the board never spent a penny in the squad, but apart from that blip, we in last 35 years have spent spells of 1978-1991 and 2005 to present. Dpo u want StM to progress or just lose 20 games a season, I for one of many are far more ambitious

  • Comment posted by User0341123739, at 14:56 8 May 2014

    @12. Been at the games which more than qualifies me- Interested why ( after quoting the stats) you are so keen to bin Lennon and chase other less qualifed options. Lets face it the money issues you cited are still relevant today- Lennon has proved he can work on a shoestring budget -

  • Comment posted by DMC49, at 08:38 9 May 2014

    Agrred STM, Board done great, mission accomplished, but under Danny we have also had a big threat. Time to pick out a gem. For me thats Murray at Sons, amazing what he has done there, get Thommo as assistant. I am fed up also with the team spirit Danny talks about, its obvious when St Mirren try they usually achieve, but thats not often enough, thats why we get dragged down

  • Comment posted by veritassemper, at 17:58 10 May 2014

    I comment now after the draw against Hearts today. Danny Lennon has worked wonders in my view considering the very tight budget on players that he has. He has done all that has been asked of him in keeping Saints in the Premier League for another 4 years and also winning the League Cup last year. Just what is it that makes some of the fans think he should be relieved of his duties?

  • Comment posted by DMC49, at 15:22 8 May 2014

    13- The game is in a great state, This is about the premiership not League one, the standard is much higher as I am sure one day u will find out with rangers 2012

    Keep taking the share issues lol

  • Comment posted by User0830077009, at 13:48 8 May 2014

    Hmm.Plays a good style and won a trophy but has a decent squad of players and really wonder if StM are underachieving. Too many barren runs in the league.

    Boredom will continue with Lennon in my view as a neutral.

  • Comment posted by User0428048352, at 19:24 9 May 2014

    As an Aberdeen fan Danny seems to be on of the nicest people in football. However he doesn't seem to have a plan for moving St Mirren up the league beyond their current level. With Hibs and Hearts floundering it seems like next season is one of the best chances St Mirren will have to make the top six and maybe to do that it will require a new man capable of getting, and keeping them up there.

  • Comment posted by User0341123739, at 12:34 8 May 2014

    @3. Very apt description. Having said that i wouldnt have traded the barren spells and the glory cup run for a 6th place finish every year....Highs and lows

  • Comment posted by User0374799749, at 14:31 8 May 2014

    As an outsider he looks do have done a decent job. St. Mirren could finish 7th. Are they capable of better? It's conceivable. Could St. Mirren regularly finish higher than 7th? In my opinion, no. When you look at the players some other clubs have in the top half, it's no wonder that St. Mirren aren't amongst them.

    Be careful what you wish for! In a years time someone else could have them down!

  • Comment posted by DMC49, at 17:13 8 May 2014

    SMCFC- Now normally our Board is as tight as a drum, they have been prudent and St M find themselves on a solid basis, but after hearing Gilmour last night I detected Danny is for the off. I think Danny did really well in his first season but its no secret he has had plenty of bust ups, plus he always seems to have insecurities. We are not light years from Well are we

  • Comment posted by richard, at 21:24 8 May 2014

    My view is Stuart Gilmour and the board are looking to sell the club. How appealing to new owners is the club if it has manager (the manager having a new 2 or 3 year deal) the prospective new owner doesn't want? The cost of getting rid of DL May put off new bidders. Simply put maybe the board view the club as more likely to be sold without DL.

  • Comment posted by User0546341018, at 15:32 8 May 2014

    #18 And then there is the clinically depressed who see nothing but their own reflected negativity.

  • Comment posted by calmac12000, at 12:22 9 May 2014

    As a Thistle supporter I have no axe to grind re. wee Danny. Although I'd always be suspicious of the argument that all you need for success is to change the manager, that way risks doing a "Cardiff City", if you ask me. Having said that St. Mirren have been anything but impressive when I've seen them this season and I could have put my house on them losing to Boydy and Co. the other night

  • Comment posted by User0928710672, at 13:39 8 May 2014

    same old, same old with St. Mirren, is it the manager or is it the players, the players have proved when under pressure they can deliver. no pressure last night, back to the same old, same old, lose to kilmarnock, not good enough from these players. Or can the manager not motivate this squad to win meaningless games. something has got to change from the same old, same old.

  • Comment posted by User0341123739, at 15:08 8 May 2014

    Michael- Good points. The club is run in a way that ensures its survival going forward, not exactly a very sexy approach but for longevity its key. Our spend is far below that of clubs around and below us - Let alone what is happening above us. I have seen some poor management and really expensive transfer blunders in the past- live & learn

  • Comment posted by CJ, at 20:51 8 May 2014

    St Mirren had a terrible run at the end of last season finishing 11th and Lennon signings were poor in the summer, nearly all left by February.

    The football this year has been poor and as the last few games show the side probably shouldn't have been top 6 but should have been nowhere near the play-offs.

    He's a nice guy, but I think the time is right for a change.

  • Comment posted by DMC49, at 16:54 8 May 2014

    22- Agreed. League next season will be not as interesting as in will be in 2 years. Board must say, Danny well done, good job, but we are ambitious and we need Saints challenging for Europe like we did in the 80s. Its not like its great we have stayed up, what Ross County, Caley have done is immense, now thats achievement and progress. 38 points with no Gers amounts to a poor season,

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