St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has defended former Motherwell boss Graham Alexander as distanced himself from a Fir Park return in a spiky pre-match interview.
Alexander stepped down as Motherwell manager after their humiliating Europa Conference League exit to Sligo Rovers, having produced just three Scottish Premiership wins in 2022 on route to a top six finish. The former Scotland star asked to speak to members of the board on Friday morning, where it was agreed by all parties that they should part ways by mutual consent.
It sees Alexander and his assistant, Chris Lucketti, depart Motherwell before a domestic ball has even been kicked this season, with academy coach Stephen Hammell leading out the team on the opening day of the league campaign in Paisley. Former 'Well boss Robinson has been tipped with a dramatic return to Fir Park, having led the Steelmen to third spot in the table during his tenure in Lanarkshire.
When asked about links with a return, Robinson told BBC Sportsound: "There is no truth in it whatsoever. It's amazing now that you can put something in writing and it grows arms and legs, and people believe it.
"I am at St Mirren, I am 100 per cent committed to it, and we are trying to get this football club into the top six for the first time in over 25 years. That's the reality. It's a project for us, it's a challenge and it's one we are going to try and succeed at. I can categorically tell you I am at St Mirren. I am fully committed to St Mirren. There has been zero contact. It's a total load of nonsense."
When asked about his view on Alexander's departure, he added: "For every manager in the league I have sympathy for. I have a lot of time for Graham Alexander as a man and as a manager.
"And I think it's really hard for managers now, you get so little time. My sympathies go out to him. He is a very good manager and will be back in the game soon. I have spoken to Graham.
"He is a friend of mine and a colleague. It's tough, the season hasn't even started and manager's are losing their job. Pundits are canvassing for people to lose their job, it's what they are paid to do.
'It's the only industry in the world when there are odds on if you are going to be sacked first, second or third. It was Graham Alexander I spoke to as well and we said 'you do the bits you enjoy, which is coaching on the pitch.
"We are probably immune to it, but it's your family and kids that aren't, that's the hard bit. We know that when we get into it, we're big boys, but it's a harsh industry it really is."
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