Jim Goodwin revealed everyone at St Mirren was left “gutted” after ex-manager Jack Ross was sacked by Sunderland.
The current Saints boss revealed he was heading south to watch the Mackem’s game with Grimsby to catch up with his former teammate.
But he was left devastated when Ross’ fate was sealed just hours before that match kicked off.
“We were all gutted for him when we heard the news last week,” Goodwin told Express Sport.
“Jack is a close friend now I would say. We’ve developed a good relationship.
“I knew him during his time at the PFA and he was an ex-teammate of mine as well.
“He was my manager for a brief spell at Alloa and then I took over after him. He’s someone that I’ve grown close to over the years.
“I was actually getting ready to go down and watch their game against Grimsby when I heard.
“So, it was a bit strange going down to watch that game when Jack had just lost his job four hours before that.
“We’re gutted for him because I think he was going a great job.”
Ross left the hotseat at the Simple Digital Arena after guiding the Buddies to the Championship title in May 2018.
After failing to get Sunderland promoted at the first attempt last season, he was relieved of his duties last week with the Black Cats sitting sixth in England’s League One.
Goodwin insists Ross should have had more time to make his mark at the Stadium of Light.
He said: “I think boards and fans up here are a bit more patient but down in England it’s just ridiculous.
“You get six games down there maybe and if you don’t do it they seem to just cut you off and that’s it.
“They have got the budget and that tag of being an old Premier League team but it’s not always as simple and straightforward as that.
“Everyone was raising their game to play Sunderland because it was like a cup final for a lot of them.
“I think Jack did a lot of great things behind the scenes that people have come out and spoken about since.
“He can certainly leave there with his head held high.
“He’s a really good man and no doubt he will have numerous opportunities to get back into the game in the coming months.”
While it’s still early days in his own coaching career, Goodwin insists he has already learned a lot from his former gaffer.
And he will still be calling Ross for tips as and when he needs them as he tries to propel the Buddies up the Premiership table.
He added: “We’ve got similar ideas in terms of how we want the game played.
“We have a similar idea of how we like to treat people and the standards we like to set both in training and on and off the pitch. We’re very like-minded people.
“He’s a good one for me to turn to for advice and I’m quite lucky after the career I had to be able to pick up the phone to a lot of people with good experience.
“Jack is definitely one of them.”
