Cook staying at Sligo as talks break down

PAUL COOK will not be taking over as St Johnstone manager after the Sligo Rovers boss failed to agree personal terms with the Scottish Premier League club.

Cook was given permission to speak to St Johnstone and held talks with their chairman Geoff Thomas yesterday about possibly taking over from Derek McInnes.

However, those talks came to nought, and both clubs issued statements yesterday.

“Paul Cook will be staying in charge of Sligo Rovers,” Sligo announced on their website. “After giving permission to speak to Scottish Premier League side St Johnstone in recent days, Cook will stay in charge at The Showgrounds and we look forward to final matches of the season.

“The club would like to thank supporters for their patience over the issue amid the speculation.”

St Johnstone confirmed that they would now look elsewhere for a suitable candidate.

“The club’s search for a replacement manager continues today but it does not appear that the successor to Derek McInnes will be Paul Cook,” they said.

“The current manager of Sligo Rovers has been in highly-publicised talks with St Johnstone about the vacant post but the two parties have been unable to reach agreement on personal terms and the club therefore moves on to other options.”

The Bit o’ Red face Shelbourne in the FAI Cup final on Sunday week.