St Johnstone’s search for a new manager continues after the club ”pulled the plug” on a move for Sligo Rovers boss Paul Cook.
Talks to lure the 44-year-old Liverpudlian to McDiarmid Park had entered an advanced stage and Saints had already agreed a five-figure compensation package with his Irish employers.
However, the deal collapsed with Saints claiming they were unwilling to meet the managerial candidate’s own financial demands. However, Cook has hinted that things were not so clear cut.
What is certain is that St Johnstone chairman Geoff Brown is now back on the look-out for a replacement for Derek McInnes.
Former Aberdeen boss Mark McGhee was the latest to throw his hat in the ring on Wednesday, while the bookies have installed Rangers defender David Weir as the new favourite.
Before any permanent appointment is made, Saints under-19 coach Alec Cleland and skipper Jody Morris will continue to take temporary charge of the side.
Brown said: ”We could not agree terms, it is as simple as that. It is always about finance and it is amazing what happens when people see pound signs in front of them.
”Unfortunately, we came to a mutual consent not to pursue the deal. We could have been talking until the cows came home but we chose to pull the plug.
”The media had already decided that Cook was getting the job, which was ludicrous. They were getting way ahead of themselves.
”We now move on and there is not a lack of other candidates with applications still coming in. But we have a responsibility to the club and we will not be rushing things.
”Alec and Jody have a lot of experience and will continue to take temporary charge of the side.”
Cook has decided to keep his own counsel over exactly what went wrong but has insisted that while things did not work out with Saints, he will not be pointing any finger of blame at the club or its chairman.
He said: ”I could get into specifics but I have no wish to enter into a war of words with St Johnstone or Mr Brown. That’s not the way I do things.
”I was over in Scotland and I had three hours of talks with Mr Brown and it’s clear that Saints have a great setup and are an immaculately-run club.
”Whoever takes over from Derek McInnes is a lucky man and I wish whomever that is all the very best. But I came to the decision that St Johnstone was not the right move for me.”