St Johnstone has urged supporters to overlook any criticism regarding their unexpected hiring of 29-year-old coach Jordi Aluja, who has been praised as a “great” addition to the Scottish Championship team.
As part of a summer reorganisation that has already seen Andy Kirk and Alex Cleland leave McDiarmid Park after the team was relegated from the Scottish Premiership last season, Aluja, who currently serves as the manager of Finnish reserve team AC Oulu, is expected to join Simo Valakari’s backroom staff.
According to a report from The Courier, Aluja has agreed to join the Saints and will land in Scotland this weekend in order to submit a work permit application. If approved, he will join Valakari’s backroom staff alongside goalkeeper coach Gordon Marshall and performance manager, and Valakari’s son, Paavo.
Even though he has a good reputation in Europe, some St Johnstone supporters are sceptical of his impending arrival. According to one fan site, they are worried that the club is “rolling back on appointing experienced Scottish assistant,” and the Aluja’s appointment feels like a “big risk” for the recently demoted Perthshire team.
Stevie Grieve, the current manager of SJK Seinäjoki and a former head scout for St Johnstone, has praised the club’s decision. After beginning his coaching career at the age of 16 in a small community centre in his hometown of Perth, the 38-year-old, known as “the Scottish Gary Neville” because of his analytical approach to football, has built out an amazing career for himself.
Progressing through grassroots football, Grieve was handed his first senior role in academy football with Dundee FC’s under-17 team, and has enjoyed a diverse coaching career that has taken him to India, USA and Switzerland.
Through his official X account, Grieve declared, “Jordi is an excellent coach.” He has a history of helping players reach their full potential, frequently under trying conditions. He has four years of real-world experience as a head coach in his twenties. Excellent personality and a pleasure to deal with for gamers.
