Teale optimistic over Buddies job.

Gary Teale admits he can understand why the St Mirren board are looking at rival candidates to become their new boss - but insists he is still the man for the job.

The doomed Paisley outfit say they will welcome applications from interested coaches to become their new manager.

Interim boss Teale was unable to stop Saints from sliding out of the Scottish Premiership but he has now been told his bid to land the post on a full-time basis will also be considered.

Teale - who last week appealed to the Buddies board to clarify his position - said: "I'm glad the board have made this statement as I now know where I stand.

"I fully understand that they are going to open the process up to other applicants.

"It's obviously frustrating because I'm in there doing the job right now and feel I'm doing the best I can in the circumstances.

"But if I look at the big picture and the way things have panned out this season, I can see where the board are coming from. They obviously want to see if there is a more suitable candidate out there than myself.

"However, I will champion my own cause. A lot of people know the things I've had to deal with, which you would just not expect to happen like the John McGinn spearing accident.

"I've loved every minute of the job and would love to continue because it's a fantastic club with a lot going for it. It's just so disappointing that everything has gone against it this season and culminated in relegation.

"But if the board are looking for someone to take the club forward, then I think I can do it.

"It will be a rebuilding job. When a team gets relegated you've got to take stock. You have to look at where things went wrong and try to change things.

"There were a lot of difficult circumstances when I took over but I think I coped well. Sadly we fell short when it came to keeping the team in the league.''

Former Scotland winger Teale took over from Tommy Craig back in December but has registered just six wins from 21 games in charge, the last of which came a day after Motherwell's victory over Kilmarnock confirmed their demotion to the Championship.

The Paisley outfit are now putting plans in place for their return to Scotland's second tier but have been forced to axe goalkeeping coach Paul Mathers and physio Gerry Docherty as they cut costs.

Now chairman Stewart Gilmour and the rest of his board are ready to address the manager's position.

In a statement posted on the club's official website, the directors said: "One of the reasons we all love football is that it moves on quickly and as a club we have to do the same and start the rebuilding process immediately. So rather than spend the next few months dealing with the recriminations we will look to the future and start this process from today.

"The first step on this road is the appointment of a new manager. We are now inviting applications from managers interested in managing this great club with first-class facilities and excellent young players.

"The board would like to place on record our thanks to both Gary Teale and David Longwell for taking over the reins after Tommy Craig's departure and whilst the job of avoiding relegation proved to be a step too far, their commitment, effort and endeavour has been there for all to see.

"We would expect Gary to put his name forward for the vacant manager's position and we will duly consider his application along with all others we receive.''

Gilmour had previously admitted the board made a "mistake'' handing Craig - Danny Lennon's former assistant - the job last summer.

And the club's statement added: "There is no getting away from the fact that this has been a difficult and disappointing season for everyone connected with St Mirren Football Club culminating in what will be a 12th-place finish and relegation to the Championship.

"As a Board of Directors we have always made what we believed to be the best decisions for the good of the Club. This season, unfortunately, we have got some of those decisions wrong, and we hold our hands up and accept responsibility.''