ALAN Richardson's impressive start as coach of St Kilda has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension.

The 50-year-old was already locked away for 2016, but has now extended his contract until the end of 2018

On Thursday night Richardson tweeted that a deal had been done and he was "incredibly bullish about the journey" the club was on.

In a contrast to many senior coaches gaining the position after short apprenticeships, Richardson was offered the position after doing time at six clubs: the Western Bulldogs, Richmond, Collingwood, Essendon, Carlton and Port Adelaide.

"I am very pleased to commit to St Kilda's future. There are exciting things happening right across our club and I am thrilled to be a part of it for at least the next three years," Richardson said in a statement.

"I have high expectations of this playing group, and with the backing of a united and supportive board and executive, I am confident we will return to a period of success in the near future."

St Kilda finished last with just four wins in Richardson's debut season at the helm in 2014.

After 15 matches this season, the Saints sit 13th on the ladder with five wins, and while it's not a meteoric rise, the results have undoubtedly pleased the St Kilda faithful.

“Our supporters and members know we have an excellent senior coach in Alan Richardson, and I am sure his emphatic commitment to the club will be very well received by them,” St Kilda president Peter Summers said.

Summers' sentiments were backed by CEO Matt Finnis.

“In November 2013, the St Kilda board made a smart decision to appoint Alan as senior coach and, knowing him far better as we do now, we have even more confidence that he is the right man for the job,” Finnis said.

“Alan is not just committed to building an exceptional team, he wants to build an exceptional club. We are very confident in his approach and plans and today’s announcement recognises the importance of this in the club’s longer-term strategy."