BRETT Ratten has officially secured the St Kilda coaching job after the Saints board on Thursday night formalised its coaching sub-committee's recommendation.
The appointment will be announced publicly on Friday.
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Ratten accepted the role of senior assistant to Alan Richardson a year ago, and when the Saints sacked their six-year coach after round 18, he became a near-certainty to take over.
Ratten was sacked as Carlton coach in 2012, after winning 60 of 120 matches, and spent the ensuing six seasons as an assistant to Alastair Clarkson at Hawthorn, a period which saw the Hawks secure three premierships.
In reaching its decision on Thursday night, St Kilda followed North Melbourne (Rhyce Shaw) and Carlton (David Teague) in elevating interim coaches to permanent roles.
