St Mirren have moved quickly to put their managerial situation to bed, handing Craig McLeish a three-year contract as permanent head coach after a nail-biting end to the season that saw the Buddies survive via the play-offs. The 36-year-old, who only stepped into the role on a temporary basis back in March, will now lead the club into the new campaign with Stuart Taylor, 51, expected to come in alongside him as assistant.

It has been a turbulent few months at the SMiSA Stadium. Stephen Robinson, the man who had transformed the club's fortunes since taking charge in February 2022 and famously led them to League Cup glory against Celtic last December — ending a 12-year wait for silverware — departed for Aberdeen in the spring, leaving the Paisley side sitting 10th in the table with the relegation scrap still very much alive.

McLeish took the reins in difficult circumstances and, while he won three of his nine league matches, he could not prevent the club from finishing second bottom as Kilmarnock found their feet after the winter split. What followed was a tense play-off campaign, culminating in a 2-1 aggregate victory over Partick Thistle in the final. Marcus Fraser's goal in the second leg at home in Paisley proved the decisive moment, sending the home end into relief rather than celebration — the kind of win that leaves you breathing again rather than dancing.

The decision to keep McLeish permanent will raise eyebrows in some quarters given the circumstances of the run-in, but the board will point to the play-off victory as evidence of a man who kept his dressing room together when it mattered most. Three years is a substantial commitment and signals genuine ambition to rebuild rather than simply consolidate.

St Mirren's recent history offers encouragement that the club can push back up the table. They returned to the top flight in 2018 and enjoyed three successive top-six finishes before this difficult campaign, so the foundations are there. The Robinson era raised the ceiling considerably — a League Cup sits in the trophy cabinet to prove it — and McLeish will be acutely aware of the standard that has been set.

Whether he can attract the right players this summer will go a long way to determining how the season unfolds. The market will likely reflect a club that only just preserved its Premiership status, which rarely makes recruitment straightforward. Getting bodies in early, building team cohesion and making the SMiSA Stadium a difficult place to visit again will be the priorities from day one of pre-season.

For now though, there is simply the relief of being in the Premiership at all. After the drama of the play-off final, a settled managerial appointment is exactly what the club needs heading into the summer.

What this means for St Mirren

  • Managerial stability: A three-year deal offers a clear runway after months of uncertainty following Robinson's departure.
  • Play-off survival secured: The aggregate win over Partick Thistle keeps top-flight football in Paisley for another season.
  • Backroom structure: Stuart Taylor is expected to join as McLeish's assistant, giving the new management team time to build ahead of pre-season.

Frequently asked

Who is Craig McLeish and why did he take over at St Mirren?
Craig McLeish stepped in as temporary head coach at St Mirren in March 2026 following Stephen Robinson's departure to Aberdeen. He has now been given the job on a permanent basis on a three-year contract.
How did St Mirren avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership?
St Mirren finished second bottom of the Scottish Premiership and had to go through the play-offs, where they beat Partick Thistle 2-1 on aggregate in the final, with Marcus Fraser scoring the only goal of the second leg in Paisley.
What happened to Stephen Robinson at St Mirren?
Stephen Robinson left St Mirren in March 2026 to take charge of Aberdeen. He had been at the club since February 2022 and guided them to League Cup glory, beating Celtic in the December 2025 final.