Derek McInnes rejects Brentford move

Published on Wednesday 11 May 2011 20:09

Derek McInnes is to remain as St Johnstone manager after turning down an offer from npower League One side Brentford.

McInnes confirmed this week that he had spoken to Brentford about the vacancy created when Andy Scott departed Griffin Park in February.

But the 39-year-old former Rangers and Dundee United midfielder has now rejected the opportunity to take permanent charge.

A statement on the St Johnstone official website said: "Derek McInnes has this afternoon spoken to chairman Geoff Brown and advised him that he has formally turned down the opportunity to move to Brentford FC.

"Everyone at the club is delighted with this news and hopes that it now allows the speculation over the manager to cease and for preparations for next season to press ahead."

McInnes, 39, has been in charge at McDiarmid Park since 2007 and has been linked in the past with vacant managerial posts at Watford and another of his former clubs, West Bromwich Albion.

Saints chairman Geoff Brown had previously said he did not believe Brentford was the right move for McInnes, and he has succeeded in holding on to his man despite the English club offering a bigger spending budget and apparently being ready to offer an appropriate sum in compensation to get their man.

It emerged yesterday that Brentford were also interested in Rangers skipper David Weir becoming the club's manager.

Former Everton defender Weir has his Uefa A & B coaching badges and began his Pro Licence course in January.

The 41-year-old was said to have been interviewed for the vacancy in March. Brentford's board - their chairman, Greg Dyke, is a former director general of the BBC - is said to have been impressed by Weir's presentation, but it appears that Weir would prefer to continue as a player instead of going into management at the moment.