ST KILDA has parted company with its football operations manager Ken Sheldon after opting not to renew the contract of the former coach, who had held the job for only one year.

Saints chief executive Archie Fraser said the club was now looking for a new football manager.

Sheldon joined the club at the end of the 2006 season, in the immediate aftermath of former coach Grant Thomas' sacking but before the Saints had installed Ross Lyon as coach.

"Ken provided our football department with a safe pair of hands through a difficult period at the end of the 2006 season," Fraser said in a statement.

"We are grateful for Ken's contribution to the club, he will always be welcome at the club and we wish him well in his future.

"The general manager football operations position is one of the most important roles in the modern football club structure. At St Kilda, this role is a key part of our executive management team and the person we seek must have a broad and extensive skill set. We will be targeting and appointing the best available talent to this key position."

Sheldon yesterday headed overseas for a planned holiday.

It is not the first time Sheldon and the Saints have parted company. The former Carlton premiership player had coached the Saints between 1990 and 1994, taking them to the finals in 1991 and 1992. After the Saints finished 12th in 1993, he was replaced by Stan Alves.

Sheldon played in three premierships with with the Blues in 1979, 1981 and 1982.