Kilmarnock's hopes of luring Valakari seemingly ended by new deal

Former Motherwell midfielder Simo Valakari has signed a contract extension as manager of Finnish champions SJK - seemingly ending any hopes Kilmarnock had of tempting him back to Scotland.

Valakari was installed as odds-on favourite amid reports he was set to be interviewed by the Premiership club.

But SJK have tied up the former Derby player to a new four-year contract and he is looking forward to the start of their title defence in April.

"This was a long-term process from the beginning and I am really glad that I get to continue the construction of the club and the team," Valakari told SJK's official website.

"As a coach, I would like to develop excellence and I have a big desire to learn things. I feel that this is the best place at this stage."

Valakari was a strong contender to become Motherwell manager last year, but lost out to Mark McGhee in the race to succeed Ian Baraclough.

The former Finland international had two years left on his previous SJK deal, but was confident his club would release him when he expressed an interest in a Fir Park return in October.

The 42-year-old is a former Motherwell team-mate of Killie's interim manager Lee McCulloch, who looks set to remain in charge of the team for their game at Fir Park on Saturday.

Billy Davies, who managed both McCulloch and Valakari at Motherwell, has also been linked with the position along with Ally McCoist, former Scotland midfielder Graham Alexander and former Huddersfield, Birmingham and Blackpool boss Lee Clark.