FALKIRK playmaker Russell Latapy would 'jump' at the chance of breaking into management with St Johnstone after being named as a possible successor to Owen Coyle.
Coyle has been appointed as the new Burnley manager on a lucrative three-and-a-half-year deal and the Trinidadian has emerged as an early candidate to fill the vacancy at McDiarmid Park. Latapy, 39, is currently first-team coach with the Bairns, and has been cutting his managerial teeth in charge of the reserve side this season.
Latapy said: "I love playing football and I'm very happy here at Falkirk, but it's always been my intention to get into management and, if the right opportunity comes up, I would jump at it. St Johnstone is a very, very good team, with a good stadium and good working conditions. That's one of the teams you would like to start with.
"If the right opportunity comes up, it would definitely be a situation I would have to speak over with Falkirk and take it from there.
"But everybody at Falkirk understands it has always been my intention, from the first day I came here and started with the coaching, that I would like to get into management."
Falkirk head coach John Hughes insists he will not stand in the way of Latapy if the Perth club want to speak to the former Hibs, Rangers and Dundee United player.
Hughes said: "Russell has a massive part to play at Falkirk, but the next step is for him to go into management. I think he deserves a shot and, if it's at St Johnstone, then so be it.
"I would not stand in his way. He would be sorely missed, that's for sure, but there's going to come a time when we're going to have to do it without him."