Simo Valakari focuses on Falkirk amid managerial links and Gray departure
2 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 2:14 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari addressed the media ahead of Saturday's Scottish Premiership match against Falkirk. Valakari expressed empathy for Hibernian's David Gray, who was recently dismissed, noting the ruthless nature of management. He acknowledged being mentioned in connection with the Hibernian job but emphasized his attention is solely on the upcoming game. Currently, St Johnstone ranks seventh in the league, with seven points from six matches. Valakari also praised Falkirk's high-level play following their recent win against Hearts.
- •Valakari addresses the media before match against Falkirk on Saturday.
- •David Gray is the first manager to be dismissed this season.
- •Valakari's focus remains on team preparation and not job speculation.
- •St Johnstone is currently seventh in the league table.
- •Falkirk recently recorded a notable victory over Hearts.
- 2:14 PMYahoo Sports — 'All coaches thrown in' - Valakari plays down Hibs link
- 1:16 PMYahoo Sports — Saints boss Valakari on Gray departure, being linked with Hibs & Falkirk 'focus'
"St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari batted away reports linking him with the vacant Hibernian job, saying: "Every time there is some vacancy somewhere, all the coaches will be thrown in." David Gray left Hibs on Thursday, becoming the Scottish Premiership's first managerial casualty of the season in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock that leaves them ninth in the table on six points after six games. Finn Valakari, who joined Saints in 2024 and oversaw promotion from the Championship earlier this year, is among the early names who have been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Easter Road job.
"St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership visit of Falkirk. On Hibernian head coach David Gray becoming the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season, Valakari said: "He is my colleague and of course I feel for my colleague", adding it shows "the ruthlessness of this business". When asked about being among the early names linked with the Easter Road job, the Saints boss said when there is a vacancy somewhere, "all the coaches will be thrown in", saying his "full focus" is on Saturday's game.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 2:14 PM'All coaches thrown in' - Valakari plays down Hibs link
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari batted away reports linking him with the vacant Hibernian job, saying: "Every time there is some vacancy somewhere, all the coaches will be thrown in." David Gray left Hibs on Thursday, becoming the Scottish Premiership's first managerial casualty of the season in the wake of a 1-0 home defeat by Kilmarnock that leaves them ninth in the table on six points after six games. Finn Valakari, who joined Saints in 2024 and oversaw promotion from the Championship earlier this year, is among the early names who have been mentioned as a potential candidate for the Easter Road job.
- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 1:16 PMSaints boss Valakari on Gray departure, being linked with Hibs & Falkirk 'focus'
St Johnstone manager Simo Valakari has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Scottish Premiership visit of Falkirk. On Hibernian head coach David Gray becoming the first Premiership managerial casualty of the season, Valakari said: "He is my colleague and of course I feel for my colleague", adding it shows "the ruthlessness of this business". When asked about being among the early names linked with the Easter Road job, the Saints boss said when there is a vacancy somewhere, "all the coaches will be thrown in", saying his "full focus" is on Saturday's game.
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