What happened: Craig McLeish has been confirmed as St Mirren's permanent manager after serving in interim charge. Yahoo Soccer reported that McLeish said he was delighted his vision aligned with the club and pledged to give young players more first-team opportunities.
Why it matters: The appointment gives St Mirren continuity after a turbulent finish to the season and puts the academy pathway at the center of the club's plan for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign. McLeish had already been working close to the first team after moving up from academy-focused roles, making this a lower-disruption hire.
By the numbers: McLeish was promoted to First Team Transition Phase Head Coach on Feb. 5, 2026, and remained interim manager through the end of the season after a March 28 club announcement. He is 51 and retired as a player in 2009 before building a coaching career across academy and first-team environments.
What to watch: Watch whether St Mirren backs McLeish with staff and recruitment shaped around youth development. Preseason squad choices should show how many academy players are close to senior minutes.