Callum Davidson has revealed that he was given a win or bust ultimatum before losing his job as St Johnstone manager.
Davidson parted company with Saints just 24 hours after a 2-0 away loss to Livingston in April this year after delivering a historic cup double during the 2020/21 campaign.
And the former Scotland, Saints and Leicester City left-back admits he was told before the game he would be sacked if he failed to mastermind a win.
Davidson said: “I got annoyed in my last game, I changed my formation, which annoyed me and it still sits with me to this day, I was told that if we didn’t win the game I was out.
"In my final game, I knew if I didn’t win that I was gone so I changed my formation and I thought we’ll have a go.
“It was during that week it was said. It’s just football and I’ve heard it so many times, you just have to get on with it.
“It was just disappointing, we were ninth in the league at the time and for St Johnstone to be ninth in the league isn’t too bad, we would all like to be higher but it was a rebuild of the squad. I felt we were in a good position, we had the bottom six to play.”
Davidson, who worked as a pundit for BBC Radio Scotland at the weekend, did not clarify whether Steve Brown delivered the ultimatum but insists he still has a good relationship with the then Saints chairman.
He added: “I had a great relationship with the chairman.
"I have nothing against him. It's just timing - timing is a massive thing in football.
“We had a great relationship, we’re still good to this day.
“I wanted to stay on but ultimately if results are poor there is only one person that leaves.”
Davidson, who turned down the chance to take on the reins at Dundee this summer, admits he is keen for a return to management.
He added: “I’m desperate to get back in. I never lost my enthusiasm for it, I had a little break but I'm desperate to get back in and hopefully it happens soon.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel