Kilmarnock

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We asked for your views on Stuart Kettlewell being appointed Kilmarnock's new manager on a two-year deal.

Here's what some of you said:

Gary: What happened at Motherwell probably happens at every ground in the UK so will he just walk away from every job he gets? I'm not condoning the abuse but it happens. I think we should have been more ambitious.

Gerry: Fantastic appointment. He has a hunger for European football.

Martin: Terrible appointment, failed at Ross County and bailed out at Motherwell before he was fired. Board ignoring protests from fans (polling 90% against) and suckered in by his word soup. Another relegation battle ahead, regret early renewing season ticket.

Davey: Perfectly happy. Knows the Scottish game, has a reputation for bringing young players through. Delighted Chris Burke will be staying, stepping up as part of the time. But no doubt plenty will be moaning, wouldn't matter who got the job.

Doug: I think we have to be positive and give the new manager full backing. He's done pretty well at two other Premiership clubs and has a track record of bringing on young players - something Derek McInnes failed to do and, I believe, led Bobby Wales to decide to move on. With Burke more involved this could be the start of exciting times for Killie.

Peter: Kettlewell the cheap option after McInnes wasted hundreds of thousands on loans that never even played like Kevin van Veen, Calvin Ramsay and others.

Neil: I'm delighted Stuart is the new manager. He was considered, positive and realistic at his press conference. We should get fully behind him after a very messy few weeks.

Owen: We have a very strong academy set-up and he loves to use young players so in that regard I'm excited to see Stuart as manager.

Johnny: Good appointment, fresh start and time to rebuild on a decent foundation around our younger players and the ones who play for the badge week in week out.

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Does Stuart Kettlewell's Scottish Premiership experience make him a shrewd and steady Kilmarnock appointment?

The former Motherwell boss' move to Rugby Park has been met with mixed reviews from fans of the Ayrshire club.

Kettlewell led the Steelmen to seventh and ninth-placed finishes in his time at Fir Park before departing with the team in fifth in January.

The ex-Ross County manager's Well exit came amid a run of one win in nine games, with the 40-year-old citing fan abuse as the reason for his resignation.

Despite a bottom-six finish, Well scored the third most goals in the league in the 2023-24 season under Kettlewell.

But a shift in playing style earlier this campaign prompted criticism from the support even though the team were competing for a top-half spot.

Could Kettlewell's experience of that scrutiny benefit Kilmarnock? The Scotman's sports editor Mark Atkinson believes so.

Speaking on the BBC's Scottish Football Podcast, he said: "I think it's a steady appointment. Kilmarnock fans might take umbrage at that, but I think it's not a bad choice.

"I think he'll do a really good job because he's so experienced. I think when you get a manager that's come out of a really difficult period, they're going to be even hungrier for success than some others."

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On being named Kilmarnock manager

I'm delighted. I think my ethos, where I would like the the football club to go, is sort of married with the powers that be here.

I believe it's a good fit and then ultimately everything's about when the ball starts rolling. I can safely say with the nucleus of the squad that's here, it's a group I'm really looking forward to working with.

On returning to management

I have been offered jobs since I came out of Motherwell, but what was always important was to try and get the right fit for me.

That might never come along, but I think it's safe to say that in conversations, both parties realised pretty quickly that how I would like to move a football club forward really connects with what Kilmarnock have done here.

I need to stress that it's adding to the work that's been done. Derek [McInnes] is someone I respect an awful lot, he's done fantastic work here, so it's a slightly different role to come into than I did at Motherwell.

On fan abuse & whether it made him think twice about job

Absolutely not. Again, it's the one I probably feel I need to shoot down. I think I've been very categoric, if anybody wants to go over and look at any words I've said, at no point have I ever asked for a cuddle, for anybody to feel sorry for me.

I made a decision, stood by my decision and still do to this day. This is my job, it doesn't have to be my family's life and I really do stand by that.

On what sold him to board

First of, winning games of football - my win percentage is up there. Second, player development - trying to ensure we can continue the pathway, accelerate the process and see if we can unearth another few players from what's been a successful academy team this season under the guidance of Chris Burke.

Third, being involved in player trading - like every club in Scotland, we're selling clubs.

On whether the club 'should' be in Europe

I don't think you could ever say that to be honest with you. It has been done before, a brilliant achievement, but I think when you start to stack the city clubs up, it's always a very, very difficult task for clubs outside that bracket.

On preparations for next season

I believe there's a really good nucleus of players here, a lot of players I've admired from afar, but we're going to have to add some bodies.

We've got a lot of out-of-contract players, we've got that tight-knit group there that know the league and demands of winning at this level, so we've been actively trying to work through that process and what we need to do.

Jane Lewis
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Stuart Kettlewell has been speaking to the media after being announced as the new Kilmarnock manager.

Here are the key things he said:

• Kettlewell is "delighted to be at a club that fits his ethos". He says he quickly felt a "connection" with those at the club during his conversations over the job.

• The manager revealed he turned down other others but this moves "feels rights".

• Kettlewell believes his aim to win, unearth and develop young talent and have "a player trading model" sold him to the board.

• After he left Motherwell amid fan abuse, he said it won't affect him doing this job, though he stands by his decision, adding management "is his job, not his family's life".

• Kettlewell added his interviewers didn't seek any assurances on that front when he was going though the process to become manager.

• The manager says he has a "good nucleus of players here", although he'll start to work on his squad now so they're in the best shape come the start of the season.

• Since leaving Well in January, he has spent some "valuable time" at Everton with "top, top manager" David Moyes.

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Stuart Kettlewell is a familiar face to Kilmarnock fans.

He's been an opposition player, in the away dugout at Rugby Park and done his fair share of punditry, too.

Once he hung up his boots 2016, Kettlewell returned to Ross County, where he spent five years as a player.

He started out in the County youth set-up, then became co-manager of the first team with Steve Ferguson in 2018, before taking the job on a solo basis in the summer of 2020.

His time in Dingwall came to an end in mid-December of the same year when he was "relieved of his duties", after a run of 10 league games without a win - eight of which were defeats.

He then took up a role in the Motherwell academy in late 2022, before stepping in as caretaker manager in February 2023 following the sacking of then-boss Steven Hammell, before being appointed on a permanent basis.

He guided the side to safety from relegation in his first three months in charge, collecting 30 points out of a possible 42 as they came close to secure a top-six finish.

A 10-game unbeaten run last season was their longest since 2010 as they again narrowly missed out on the top six, while they reached the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals in the season just gone by.

He resigned in January citing personal abuse he and his family received as a reason for his departure.

He had a 41.3% win percentage for his 92 games in charge of the Fir Park club, which was the highest of Motherwell's seven managers since Stuart McCall left in 2014.

He's no accepted the Kilmarnock job on a two-year year deal, with Stevie Frail, Chris Burke and Craig Clark making up his coaching staff.

Stuart Kettlewell has been appointed Kilmarnock manager on a two-year deal.

The club say the former Motherwell manager was "the best candidate" for the job and he will be assisted by Stevie Frail, with Chris Burke and Chris Clark making up the coaching staff.

Killie fans, what do you make of the appointment?

Give us your thoughts here.

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Appointing Stuart Kettlewell "takes the risk away" of appointing a manager who doesn't understand the task at hand at Kilmarnock, says former goalkeeper Cammy Bell.

BBC Sport understands Killie have chosen the former Motherwell and Ross County boss to replace Derek McInnes with an appointment imminent.

Kettlewell, 40, left Motherwell in January citing personal abuse during a run of poor results.

However, he impressed Kilmarnock chairman Billy Bowie and his fellow directors enough during interviews to be offered the job.

Former Rugby Park shotstopper Bell believes Kettlewell is coming in at a good time though cites he has "a big job ahead of him".

"He's got a number of players out of contract, he's got players who I think the club should be trying to keep and get tied down as quickly as possible," Bell said on the BBC's Scottish Foobtall Podcast.

"But, that allows him to put his own stamp on things when he comes in the door.

"He's coming in the door at a good time as well. The season's not started yet. He's got a full pre-season ahead of himself. He's got a number of weeks to get players in, too.

"It's a manager who knows Scottish football. So, for me, it takes a huge amount of the risk away from bringing in a foreign manager or a manager who's not been in Scottish football before.

"Whether Kilmarnock fans will be happy with this, I'm unsure of that."

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We asked if you would like to see Stuart Kettlewell, who is among the contenders, being appointed the new Kilmarnock manager.

Here's what some of you said:

Amy: It would be a terrible choice. I've not seen one Kilmarnock fan who supports this. Cheap option and one that confirms us as bottom-six fodder for the foreseeable.

David B: I'd like to see us go for Craig Levein. We need a steady hand if we're to avoid relegation.

David M: I think so. He didn't really get a chance at Motherwell. I always respect his honesty.

Adam: I'm not 100% sure about Kettlewell, I think John Carver might be a good choice though.

Robert: His mental health and strength would be a major concern.

Ryan: Risk is a massive factor with Kettlewell. When you consider the manner in which he departed his previous position, surely it has to be considered a real possibility that he would walk again, on his own terms, if he wasn't happy? Seems like a massive consideration for the board to make. Outside of the risk, it screams a lazy, uninspired and too convenient of an appointment.

John: Kettlewell or Carver would be my two.

Ross: Given some of the other names being touted in the last couple of weeks, the prospect of Kettlewell is a little underwhelming. He didn't exactly set the heather on fire during his last appointment. But I do also feel we've been a little spoiled by having a name like Derek McInnes at the helm, and shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.

Taylor: The potential manager list has been very depressing, if it's to be Kettlewell I don't see him lasting past Christmas. Love to be wrong but I just can't see it.

Stuart Kettlewell is in the frame for the Kilmarnock manager's job.

The former Motherwell and Ross County boss is among the candidates Killie are speaking with as they close in on a replacement for Derek McInnes.

Would you like to see Kettlewell appointed at Rugby Park?

Tell us your thoughts here.

Jack Herrall
BBC Sport Scotland

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In a summer that will now be marked by change in the dugout, is the new Kilmarnock manager's most pressing task luring Stuart Findlay back to Rugby Park once again?

The Scotland cap has just completed his second consecutive season on loan from Oxford United, the third club he has moved to Killie from, with one permanent move in there too. He's a fans' favourite, no doubt about it.

Findlay's Oxford deal has a year left, meaning they may seek to cash in this summer. Be it a permanent switch or another loan move, being able to call upon him would be a vital step in guiding Killie back into top-six contention and not the doom and gloom of another relegation battle.

The defender's season was interrupted by an injury that forced him to miss a sizeable chunk of the campaign, but he returned in recent weeks to help pull the club away from the mire at the foot of the table.

Derek McInnes, his manager for all but one game this season, was keen to highlight the importance of the 29-year-old after the crucial win over Dundee that guaranteed top-flight safety. Findlay's influence on this Killie side is perhaps more important now than any other member of the squad.

However, reports suggest McInnes may try and take the centre-back with him to Hearts. Findlay, though, has a clear affection for Killie.

"There's no doubt having Stuart Findlay back has been massive for us," McInnes said, praising the defender.

"That ability for a centre-half to make people round about them better is a dying art, because so many boys now just want to play their own game and look after themselves, but he does it in such a quiet, effective way."

The next Killie manager - whoever he may be - will have plenty to contend with next season. Keeping Findlay at the heart of the defence would ease many a concern.

We asked for your views on where Kilmarnock should go from here following the confirmation of Derek McInnes' departure to Hearts.

Here's what some of you said:

Jason: Now Dundee have decided to dispense with Tony Docherty's services I'd quite happily see him in the dugout at Rugby Park. He did a good job there and I think he'd be an ideal replacement and it's not too much of a risk. He knows the league and the players in it, so I think it would hopefully be a smooth transition.

John: Either Paul Lambert or David Martindale. I think both managers could improve our style of football, giving better entertainment for the fans. Passing, flowing football has been seriously lacking this season and at times it has been a grim watch.

Jay: Shaun Maloney for Killie - that'd be a great shout.

Gary: Scott Brown with a bigger and better squad than he has at Ayr could do well. Docherty unfairly sacked as Dundee boss. Chris Burke on coaching staff.

Matthew: Robbie Neilson. Average 1.7 points per game, likes to play 3-4-2-1 which allows you to play a more progressive, entertaining football.

Brett: Need someone like Duncan Ferguson to inject a bit of passion into the team.

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Midfielder David Watson says the idea of a new manager coming into Kilmarnock is an "exciting prospect".

Derek McInnes' move to Hearts was confirmed on Monday after three-and-a-half years at Rugby Park.

Former Kilmarnock striker Steven Naismith has been linked with the vacant position at the Ayrshire club, while Tony Docherty, Stuart Kettlewell and Liam Fox are all out of work after recently leaving Premiership side.

Under-18s coach Chris Burke, who stepped up on a caretaker basis for the final league game of the season against Hearts, has been mooted.

Asked if it was an uncertain period for the players as they headed off for their summer break without a manager, young midfielder Watson said: "I don't think it's an uncertainty.

"I think it's more of an excitement to see who's going to come in and how they're going to work and to learn from a new manager.

"I've only done it once obviously with going from Tommy Wright to Derek McInnes, but it's an exciting prospect of somebody else coming in and seeing how they view football.

"It's quite exciting to see how we're going to play and how we're going to set up and how we do things differently or how it compares to other managers."

Former Scotland international Burke, who oversaw a 1-0 defeat at home to Hearts in Sunday's final Premiership clash, is open minded about what the future holds for him.

"I'm still new in my (coaching) journey, which is good," he said. "So for myself, I need to make sure that if anything like this did happen anywhere in any club, then I'd have to make sure I'm ready for it.

"I need to have the best version of myself. I couldn't tell you what the next step is. I couldn't tell you my next journey in football. It's crazy.

"I was video analysing Under-18s teams and then before you know it, I'm video analysing Hearts' first team and you've got Lawrence Shankland on the team.

"It's crazy. Football is as mad as it is and it turns around very, very quickly."

Sandy Armour
Fan writer

Killie's underwhelming season ended in further disappointment with a single-goal defeat to Hearts.

The most noticeable aspect of the performance was our abysmal attempts to score with row Z being the destination of choice.

We had one shot on target from 17 attempts so shooting practice is top of the list for the new manager when he arrives.

The players' lap of honour at the end of the game was muted and there is no doubt a sizeable number of them will be plying their trade elsewhere after the summer.

The urgent priority for the board is to get a new manager in place as quickly as possible. The close seasons seem to get shorter year on year so the new gaffer needs as much time as possible to get his squad assembled and in shape for what will be a difficult season.

We have a new pitch to pay for and having lost money again this year it seems certain the player budget will be reduced.

Hopefully we employ a manager with a wide range of contacts and who is willing to give our youth players a chance.

The oustanding highlight of the season is easy - the trip to Bruges with 3000 fellow fans felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Sandy Armour is editor of The Killie Hippo fanzine

Scotland assistant John Carver, who took charge of Polish top flight club Lechia Gdansk in November, is a contender to become the next manager of Kilmarnock. (The Herald), external

Read Tuesday's Scottish Gossip in full.

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New head coach Derek McInnes admitted being linked with the Hearts job in the closing weeks of the season had been "a bit problematic" - but he insisted he has "nothing to apologise for" following his Kilmarnock exit.

McInnes managed Kilmarnock for the last time in Wednesday's 3-0 defeat by Motherwell and was absent as the Ayrshire club lost at home to Hearts on Sunday, both teams' final fixture of the campaign.

"I've got nothing to apologise for because I loved my time at Kilmarnock," McInnes explained. "Ideally, it would've been done at the end of the season.

"Before the game on Wednesday against Motherwell, I spoke to the board again and I just thought that had to be my last game. I just thought Sunday's game would be too problematic, too antagonistic.

"I wouldn't want to do that to the Kilmarnock supporters or my players at the time. I just thought the game should've been played without me. The club agreed to that.

"I wanted to speak to the press on Wednesday after the game and I got stick for not speaking, but the club asked me not to speak. I complied with all that."

McInnes added that Kilmarnock are "so fortunate" to have chairman and majority shareholder Billy Bowie.

"He plugs the holes all the time, his investment and commitment are undeniable," he said.

"It's never easy, these things. Kilmarnock will go on and it's a brilliant club and they will appoint a new manager."

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Director Billy Bowie has paid tribute to Derek McInnes by saying the recently departed manager has "left a lasting impact" at Kilmarnock.

McInnes has been confirmed as head coach of fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts after guiding the Rugby Park club to top-flight survival.

Last season, the former Aberdeen boss led Kilmarnock to European football with a fourth-placed finish after gaining promotion back to the top tier.

"What Derek has achieved at the club will not be forgotten," Bowie said. "The memories will remain in the club's history.

"His leadership both on and off the pitch has left a lasting impact, and he departs with our sincerest thanks."

Kilmarnock fans, the news you have all been expecting has finally been confirmed.

Derek McInnes has left the club to become head coach of fellow Scottish Premiership side Hearts.

Where does your club go from here? Who do you want to see replace McInnes? A heavily-linked name like Steven Naismith? Or perhaps a left-field appointment?

Send us your thoughts

We asked for your views on Kilmarnock's end-of-season defeat against 10-man Hearts.

Here's what you had to say:

James: A typical end of season game and the result is irrelevant. I think Chris Burke would be good as an assistant manager or coach but don't think it would be fair to throw him into the manager's job at this time. We need to get an experienced manager ASAP as there is quite a bit of rebuilding required in the playing squad.

Robin: Couldn't finish a fish supper! Unless he's carrying a knock then Bruce Anderson should be starting. Natural goalscorer. Nearly scored with his first touch. Haven't seen a replay but looked like Robby McCrorie could've easily stopped their goal if he'd come and collected it. He's not good enough unfortunately. Lots of changes needed with the main one being a top manager that can hit the ground running.

Robert: The result and performance summed up the season, now time to look forward - new manager, new players, new opportunities. More debates about tactics, signings and can we actually win more away from home to compliment our home record? Only time will tell.

Ian: It was dreadful from start to finish. Seventeen attempts at goal with only one on target. Shameful from professional players.

Anna: I hope we can keep Stuart Findlay because he's been awesome the past few games and boy did we miss him when he was injured. I have to say I'm glad we've seen the back of Derek McInnes because the lack of respect he showed the club and the fans by talking up a move to Hearts before the season had ended was nothing short of shameful and cowardly, as was getting Paul Sheerin to speak after the Motherwell game. I liked Burke as a player, but does he really have the experience to manage in the Premiership? I'm not so sure but we'll see. Its over to you now, Billy Bowie.

Robert: Still trying to work out how we didn't win that. Some decent stuff at times but some wild shots on goal and final ball not right. Could see signs of a different style of play with more play through midfield and definite bonus seeing young Cole Burke coming on with couple of decent touches. We need new management team in place ASAP. Last guy has gone so we now forget about him and move on.