Former England midfield self-styled guv'nor and successful MK Dons manager, Paul Ince, was not tipped among the early favourites for the job (ahem, in yesterday's Rumour Mill for instance...).
However speculation is rife that Ince is the first choice for the Saints hotseat. Ince's blossoming career as a manager has only been in the lower leagues, first keeping Macclesfield Town up and then getting MK Dons to the top of League Two.
He does of course come with an impressive CV as a player having played at the top level in England and Italy and of course with distinction for the national side.
While Burley was only officially unveiled as the new Scotland manager today, it has been clear for some days that he was likely to go and Saints have been busy in that time drawing up a shortlist for his replacement.
Saints do at least have the benefit of compensation money from the SFA, money that they can use to pay similar compensation to MK Dons, if Ince is appointed.
There are of course many other experienced managers out of work with Chris 'Chris C' Coleman throwing his hat into the ring earlier today. Billy Davies, Hoddle, Adams, Allardyce, McClaren even are all available and Saints are likely to have some impressive CVs to consider.
For now, Saints made the obvious choice appointing Dodd and Gorman as caretaker managers, both of whom have managed clubs in their own right.
It is vital that the players are focused on the cup tie with a golden chance for Saints to be in the hat for the next round and either progress further or get a lucrative tie with one of the Premiership giants and a TV tie.
Then comes a home Championship game against Norwich and it is equally vital that Saints get the three points to give the new manager a fighting chance of salvaging something from this disappointing season.