GERARD Lyttle has urged Larne manager Tiernan Lynch to look before he leaps as the Larne boss continues to be linked with the vacant managerial job at St Johnstone.
News broke on Tuesday – before the Inver Reds’ 2-0 win over Loughgall in the Sports Direct Premiership – that Lynch was being considered for the hotseat at the Perth club.
The Irish News understands that Lynch spoke to the Saints yesterday and is one of three managers on the shortlist after Craig Levein was sacked.
St Johnstone won just one of their six games under Levein and former Glentoran and Northern Ireland striker Andy Kirk took charge of the team for the weekend draw with Ross County.
Saints Chairman Adam Webb, who is undergoing treatment for cancer, has been impressed with Lynch’s success both domestically and in Europe and asked for him to be considered.
Larne have won back-to-back titles and became the first Irish League team to reach the group stages of European competition this year.
The Irish League’s stock is high in Scotland as Oran Kearney had a successful stint at St Mirren and David Healy was offered the Raith Rovers job before deciding to stay at Linfield at the eleventh hour.
Cliftonville coach Lyttle has been in a similar position himself and he insisted there are a lot of things to take into consideration if offered the chance to manage outside the north.
Lyttle left his post as Cliftonville manager in April 2017 to take up a full-time role at Sligo Rovers but found himself out of a job a year and a half later having relocated his family to the west coast.
He acknowledged that a move to the Scottish Premiership could be a great opportunity for an ambitious young manager like Lynch but also warned all that glitters is not gold.
“We’ve got lots of great, talented players in this league, and talented managers as well, and it’s great to see them being looked at now,” he said.
“I was in a similar scenario when I left Cliftonville to go to Sligo. Going by my experience, something that I would advise any young manager to do is do your homework on the club first and foremost, see where they are and what they expect from you.
“Obviously budgets come into play, expectations, where they want to see you in the league, whether it’s winning the league, qualifying for Europe or staying in the league.
“And then family plays a big, big part – you’ve got to factor that in massively if kids and schooling is involved, maybe your wife, what her career path is as well.
“There’s lots to take into consideration and the grass isn’t always greener.
“For me, now, seeing our league and watching it grow year in, year out, it’s great.
“The opportunities here are a lot better because there are more opportunities to be involved full-time, and we all want to be involved in full-time football, no doubt, it’s our livelihood.
“I would say for any manager, whether it’s Tiernan or David or Oran Kearney before that, you have to be sure and make sure you have good backing in terms of support.”
Ayr United manager and former Celtic captain Scott Brown was thought to be favourite for the St Johnstone job, although he has reportedly pulled out of the running, with Aberdeen coach Peter Leven and Lynch also on the shortlist.
However, Lynch may decide the timing is not right for him as Larne will begin their European league phase next week against Molde, while St Johnstone are currently 10th in the division with just four points from six games.
Another fly in the ointment is the fact that his right-hand man and older brother, Seamus, may not be able to relocate due to family commitments.
It is understood St Johnstone will interview all candidates this week and will deliberate before unveiling the new manager.
