Alan Stubbs: St Mirren appoint former Hibs boss as new manager

Alan Stubbs has beaten Jim McIntyre to the role at St Mirren

St Mirren have appointed former Hibernian boss Alan Stubbs as their new manager on a three-year-deal.

The 46-year-old succeeds Jack Ross, who left for Sunderland after St Mirren's promotion to the Scottish Premiership.

The Paisley club also interviewed Gary Caldwell, Jim McIntyre and Oran Kearney for the role left vacant by Ross.

"I'm really excited by the challenge ahead and look forward to building on the good work that's been done here," Stubbs told the St Mirren website.

"Now the hard work starts to get the squad ready for an exciting season ahead."

Ross, 42, left for Sunderland after St Mirren won the Championship to return to the Premiership after a three-year absence.

Stubbs, who has never previously managed in Scotland's top flight, has been out of management since October 2016.

He moved to Rotherham shortly after leading Hibs to their 2016 Scottish Cup final win over Rangers but left after 14 games in charge of the Millers.

The former defender played for Bolton, Celtic, Everton, Sunderland and Derby.

He returned to Everton to be assistant manager and then manager of their under-21s side before joining Hibs in 2014.

A 'fantastic fit' for Buddies

St Mirren finished 12 points clear at the top of the Championship

St Mirren chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick told BBC Scotland that Stubbs was the "standout candidate".

"He fits in perfectly with the philosophy of the club of promoting young players throughout the team," he said. "Our youth policy is vital to us and he'll be able to bring those players on.

"He's a fantastic coach, great man manager. He's also got a great presence and I think he will be successful here.

"He's someone the fans will take to and they will get a real lift. He's a well known name and he's a really good person. It's a fantastic fit for the football club."

Fitzpatrick confirmed that there had been interest in the post from former Ajax and Barcelona striker Patrick Kluivert and ex-Real Madrid midfielder Jose Maria Gutierrez Hernandez (Guti).

"They applied," he said. "It just shows how much the club has risen over the last few years when we get people of that calibre even looking.

"But we felt we needed someone that knew the Scottish game and Alan ticks all of those boxes."

The Buddies released several players at the end of the season, including Harry Davis, Stelios Demetriou, John Sutton, Darryl Duffy and Gary Irvine, while loanees Lewis Morgan and Liam Smith have returned to Celtic and Hearts, respectively.

"We always back our managers," said Fitzpatrick when quizzed on a budget for Stubbs.

"He's on the ball. He's already mentioned a few players, which is exciting for us."