By Alasdair Lamont
BBC Scotland
Dundee United have approached St Johnstone for permission to speak to their manager Tommy Wright.
Saints chairman Steve Brown says any approach “will be flatly turned down”.
United are searching for a replacement for Jackie McNamara, who was
BBC Scotland has learned that discussions have already taken place with Stuart McCall and the former West Bromwich Albion boss Alan Irvine, as well as Mixu Paatelainen.
A statement published on the St Johnstone website on Monday morning said: “The manager has never indicated that he wishes to leave the club and I have spoken with Tommy regarding this particular matter and he has reiterated to me that he is more than happy at Saints.
“Since I appointed Tommy, I have had a good working relationship with him and we are both striving to maintain the success we have enjoyed in recent seasons and therefore, regardless of any approach and any level of compensation that might be offered, it will be flatly turned down.
“It is important to me that all St Johnstone supporters are assured that we intend for Tommy to remain at the club beyond his current contract which already runs to June 2017.”
Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Wright, 52,
in June 2013. Within a year he led them to their first major trophy in their 130-year history when they
beat Dundee United to win the Scottish Cup.
Former United striker and Finland boss Paatelainen was at Tynecastle on Saturday to watch Kilmarnock’s game against Hearts, who are United’s first opponents after the international break.
