Youth Academy Staff

Former professional footballer Allan McManus was picked to succeed David Longwell as Head of Youth Development in March 2016. Allan's career spanned over 20 years at various levels which saw him play in a number of cup finals, gaining crucial experience which he can now transfer to the players in the Youth Academy.

Allan has worked at First Team level as Assistant Manager and also for the last 8 years he has worked within the Academy at St Mirren. 

Brian Kerr joined St Mirren in August 2023, initially taking up the role of U18s coach. 

A former professional footballer, Brian began his career at Newcastle United and played in the Champions League with the Toon. A midfielder, Brian would earn three Scotland caps during his time at the English Premier League side before moving back to Scotland to join Motherwell. He would also have spells with Hibernian, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee and Arbroath before hanging up his boots. 

Brian served as manager at Albion Rovers and East Kilbride before a spell as assistant manager at Partick Thistle. He would return to Motherwell as U18s manager in 2019 and was promoted to assistant manager of the first team when Stevie Hammell was appointed as manager in August 2022. 

A St Mirren Hall-of-Fame inductee, Stephen took up the role of U18s coach after his retirement from playing in summer 2024.

The former Saints captain announced his retirement following a career that saw him make over 200 appearances for the Buddies across two spells, winning the Scottish Championship in 2018 and securing our return to the top-flight. As well as his time in Paisley, Stephen turned out at the likes of Watford, Shrewsbury Town, Sheffield United, Wycombe Wanderers, Dundee, Hibernian, Kilmarnock and Falkirk. 

The 35-year-old had been working with the U16s at the Academy on a part-time basis since November 2023 before going full-time as U18s coach.