On Saturday evening the board at Partick Thistle were doing something they haven’t done since January 2013. They had to look for a new manager. The Firhill club sacked the second longest serving boss in the SPFL Alan Archibald after a 2-0 loss at home to Ross County. Sitting in eighth the board thought it was time to look for fresh ideas after relegation from the Premiership and a poor start to the Championship. With the club legend gone, who are the contenders for the Jags hot seat?
Jim McIntyre
The former Ross County boss was one of the first names to pop up. McIntyre has been out of work since he was, in many people’s eyes, unfairly sacked by County last season. He would be a great fit for the Jags. He has been there and done it after managing Dunfermline to promotion back from the old First Division to the SPL. The 46-year-old also secured Ross County their first major trophy by winning the League Cup in 2016. He is currently out of a job so it wouldn’t cost Thistle a penny in compensation.
Jim Duffy
An ex-Jag and someone who knows the division and the club very well. Many Thistle fans might be wanting someone who is a bit younger with fresher ideas but maybe a manager like Duffy will bring a level of consistency which is needed. In his last job at Greenock Morton he got them as far as he could, but failed to get them promoted to the top league. He recently spoke to Queen’s Park about their vacancy but turned that down as he thinks he can aim higher.
Paul Hartley
Hartley has recently left Falkirk after he managed to keep them up last season. He is a manager, like Jim McIntyre, who knows about promotion. The former Aberdeen, Hearts and Celtic player was able to achieve back-to-back promotions with Alloa Athletic in his first role as a boss. Although he had an indifferent spell at Falkirk he would bring a grit and determination which is needed to get out of the Championship.
John Hughes
In an interview earlier this week Partick chairwoman Jacqui Low said she wanted to see more young players break into the first team from the Thistle Weir Academy. A manager like John Hughes has good experience after doing just that at his previous clubs, such as Hibs. The Edinburgh man has a great knowledge of the Scottish game and has the silverware to back it up. He didn’t have the best time at Raith Rovers, in his last job, but his time at Inverness Caley will never be forgotten. Yogi would be a steady pair of hands at Thistle and would also look at taking through the youth which the board want.
Scot Gemmil
The Scotland U21 coach is thought to be in the running to take over from Alan Archibald. After reading what Jacqui Low said about the youth you can see why the Paisley man is being considered. His lack of experience in the senior managerial ranks might work against him but if the Thistle board want to take a punt on an up-and-coming coach then Gemmil fits that mould.
Gary Caldwell
The former Wigan and Chesterfield boss is clearly chomping at the bit to get back into management after rumours about him applying for a number of jobs north and south of the border. Caldwell had an indifferent record in England. Although he was the manager when Wigan got relegated the damage was done much earlier in the season, however he was able to turn it around and got them promoted back to the Championship at the first time of asking. The Stirling man was eventually sacked with the club in 23rd and winless in four games. He moved to Chesterfield and was again unable to prevent relegation. The ex-Celtic and Hibs man was eventually sacked after a poor start to the season in League Two.
Gary Naysmith
The Queen of the South manager is quietly going about his work in Dumfries. Although he is not pulling up trees he is getting the most out of his best players. Just look at Stephen Dobbie and Gary Harkins so far this season. It would cost Thistle money to get Naysmith out of his contract at Palmerston but it could be worth the risk if it means promotion back to the Premiership at the first time of asking.
The Forty Two 
Good article…..I voted for Scot Gemmil !
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