ST MIRREN chief executive Tony Fitzpatrick has warned Aberdeen to forget about any attempts to recruit Jim Goodwin as their next manager.
The Irishman is listed among the bookies’ favourites to succeed Derek McInnes in the Pittodrie hotseat.
Goodwin, though, recently signed a new contract with the Paisley club. And with Saints knocking on the door of the top six and pushing for Europe, Fitzpatrick has no intention of letting his manager leave.
He said: “If Aberdeen or any other club came calling for Jim just now they’d be told to beat it!
“I spoke to him yesterday morning and the Aberdeen situation never came up. I’m sure he’ll be someone who is being spoken about by clubs who are looking for a manager just now.
“It would be crazy if they weren’t talking about him as a possible candidate given the great job he’s doing here at St Mirren.
“But I’m not worried about him moving on. We’ve given him a new strong contract recently because we believe in him.
“He wants to stay here no matter who comes in for him. He’s got a great opportunity to make St Mirren a regular top six team and try to get into Europe and he’s building a squad that can do that.
“One day Jim will get an opportunity to manage somewhere else. I know he wants to manage his country one day. But I’m not worried about losing him now.
“I know from working with him that he’s determined to do well at St Mirren and that’s what motivates him. We’re building something special here.
“That’s why we’ve given him the new deal and a budget to build the squad that he wants. We want to create stability at the club and we’re ambitious. And Jim wants to be a part of that.”
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