Next St Mirren Manager Odds: Docherty Favourite To Replace Stephen Robinson
Following the departure of Stephen Robinson to join Aberdeen, betting sites are now offering next St Mirren manager odds, with several well-known names already being linked with the Paisley vacancy.
The club have moved quickly to install an interim setup, with Craig McLeish working alongside Jamie Langfield and Allan McManus, who are temporarily in charge of first-team affairs.
But the search for a permanent replacement is already underway, and here at at Free Bets, we take a closer look at the leading candidates and the latest next St Mirren manager odds.
Next St Mirren Manager Odds
With Stephen Robinson departing Paisley, St Mirren are now on the hunt for a new manager - and here we take a look at five realistic candidates who could be next in line to take charge of the club.
| Candidate | Next St Mirren Manager Odds |
| Tony Docherty | 7/4 |
| Gary Naysmith | 15/8 |
| Brian O'Carroll | 9/2 |
| Steven Naismith | 5/1 |
| Robbie Neilson | 8/1 |
Tony Docherty
Tony Docherty, the early market leader, is now available and in the frame, having officially left Aberdeen on March 15 following a review of the coaching structure after Stephen Robinson was confirmed as the Dons' new permanent head coach.
Docherty had re-joined Aberdeen in February on a short-term deal to bolster Peter Leven's interim setup, but his departure was always likely once a permanent appointment was made.
He is now a free agent and could be in the Paisley dugout quickly. His availability is a key part of his appeal - St Mirren need someone who can come in immediately, and Docherty fits that bill.
He has previous Scottish Premiership experience as Dundee manager, where he earned the SPFL Premiership Manager of the Month award in March 2024, and later managed Ross County before being sacked in December 2025.
He knows the league, knows what it takes to keep a lower-half club afloat, and has no current commitments. On paper, he's an ideal fit.
Gary Naysmith
One of the most interesting names in the market is Gary Naysmith, who has made a remarkable impact at Stenhousemuir since taking charge.
The former Hearts and Everton defender guided the Warriors to the Scottish League Two title in his first full season - their first championship in 140 years - before steering them to the Championship play-offs last season.
They're currently going well in the race for the Championship title, sitting just two points behind leaders Inverness.
There's a certain irony to the situation - Stenhousemuir could be playing St Mirren in the Championship next season.
However, Naysmith's job would presumably be to make sure that doesn't happen to the Buddies.
He's a manager clearly on the rise, and the St Mirren job could come at exactly the right moment.
Brian O'Carroll
A less high-profile candidate but one with a direct connection to Robinson - O'Carroll served as his assistant at both Morecambe and St Mirren.
The familiarity with the club, the staff, and the Premiership environment makes him a genuine candidate.
O'Carroll has more recently been assistant manager at Sparta Prague and took charge of Newcastle United's under-21 side during the 2024-25 season.
Stepping up to his first managerial role in the Scottish top flight would be a significant step, but his inside knowledge of the club shouldn't be underestimated.
Steven Naismith
Naismith is an appealing candidate on paper - top-flight managerial experience at Hearts, a natural affinity with Scottish football, and the profile that would excite supporters.
There's a case that the St Mirren job could tempt him back to club management.
But the timing is all wrong. Scotland have qualified for the 2026 World Cup - their first since 1998 - and Naismith seems fully committed as Steve Clarke's assistant.
He's been speaking publicly about his belief that this squad can make the knockout stages for the first time, and has been scouting training facilities in Charlotte, North Carolina, ahead of Group C matches against Brazil, Morocco and Haiti this summer.
Walking away from a World Cup campaign in the middle of preparations would be a significant call.
He's committed, he's invested, and Scotland's players and management will need him focused.
Robbie Neilson
Neilson is the most decorated manager in this market.
Born in Paisley, he won the Scottish Championship with Hearts in 2014-15, did it again in 2020-21 during his second spell at Tynecastle - adding the 2022 Scottish Cup - and delivered promotion with Dundee United in between.
Three promotions and a Scottish Cup make for a strong CV at this level.
He's currently assistant head coach at Belgian Challenger Pro League side Lommel SK, part of the City Football Group network, under Lee Johnson.
He was asked directly about the Aberdeen vacancy earlier this season and publicly said he had not applied and was content in his CFG role.
That's the potential issue. He may hold out for a bigger job than St Mirren.
But he knows this league better than almost anyone in the frame, he has a personal connection to Paisley, and if the club can sell him the project, he's arguably the highest-quality option available.
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